Effects of Overload Eccentric and Concentric Resistance Training on the Cost of Walking, Muscle-tendon and Jumping Performance in Healthy Older Individuals (EOECORT-COM-JP)

Hungarian University of Sports Science

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Healthy Older Adults

Treatments: Other: Concentric overload resistance training; Other: Eccentric overload resistance training; Other: Active Control

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06838481

TE-KEB/No11/2024 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Normal aging leads to a decline in neuromuscular and mobility functions, including a 60% reduction in maximal voluntary force production, a 25% decrease in muscle volume and quality (sarcopenia), and reduced tendon stiffness by age 70. These changes impair walking speed, balance, and increase the metabolic cost of walking by ~20% in older adults compared to younger individuals. While walking training can reduce metabolic costs, no interventions have successfully addressed the 20% age-related difference. Resistance training, particularly eccentric (muscle-lengthening) training, shows promise for improving muscle strength and mass, but its effects on functional, cognitive abilities, and walking economy in older adults remain unexplored.

Full description

Normal aging is characterized by a decline in neuromuscular and mobility functions. By the age of 70, maximal voluntary force production decreases by approximately 60%, accompanied by a ~25% reduction in muscle volume and quality, leading to sarcopenia. Alongside changes in muscle protein content, composition, and mitochondrial biochemistry, aging also affects tendon properties. While healthy aging does not significantly alter tendon size, it reduces tendon stiffness, which can delay force transmission. These changes in muscle-tendon function contribute to slower walking speeds and impaired static and dynamic balance.

One of the most significant functional changes with aging is the increased metabolic cost of walking. Older individuals require ~20% more metabolic energy to walk the same distance as younger adults, yet the underlying reasons remain unclear. While walking training has been shown to reduce metabolic costs in older adults, no studies have attempted to reduce this 20% age-related difference using alternative interventions.

Resistance training induces adaptations in muscle-tendon function by requiring participants to overcome external loads. Traditional resistance training combines concentric (muscle shortening) and eccentric (muscle lengthening) contractions, but eccentric training has received increasing attention due to its superior benefits in muscle strength and mass improvement. However, no studies have examined how resistance training, particularly with an eccentric focus, impacts functional and cognitive abilities or walking economy in older adults.

Objectives:

This study aims to:

1. Investigate the effects of resistance training, particularly eccentric-focused training, on muscle-tendon function and walking economy in older adults.
2. Examine whether these changes translate into improved neuromuscular and cognitive functions.
3. Determine if improved tendon stiffness leads to more efficient force transmission, reducing walking energy expenditure.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• • Healthy men and women aged 60+ (intervention study).

  • No significant cognitive or cardiovascular impairments.

Exclusion criteria

• • Acute injuries or history of severe tendon injuries (Achilles or patellar tendon rupture).

  • Tendinopathy or chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Hypertension, unless controlled with medication.
  • Neurological or psychiatric disorders (dementia, mild cognitive impairment).
  • Metabolic diseases affecting muscle/tendon function,

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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100 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Concentric overload resistance training

Active Comparator group

Description:

Receive Concentric overload resistance training

Treatment:

Other: Concentric overload resistance training

Eccentric overload resistance training

Experimental group

Description:

Receive Eccentric overload resistance training

Treatment:

Other: Eccentric overload resistance training

Active control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

walking intervention

Treatment:

Other: Active Control