Functional Outcomes of Stay Strong Stay Healthy Program

Strength training can increase muscle mass and strength while improving bone density and reducing risk for osteoporosis and related fractures. Strength training can also lead to reduced risk for diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, depression, and obesity; and improves self-confidence, sleep and vitality. Research demonstrates that strength training is extremely effective in helping aging adults with chronic conditions prevent further onset of disease and, in many instances, actually reverse the disease process. In Stay Strong, Stay Healthy Program elderly subjects perform resistance exercise training (RET) twice every week. Past literature suggests that resistance training improved muscle activity, muscle strength, muscle mass, and bone mineral density and total body composition, and adiponectin, insulin sensitivity, fasting blood-glucose (BG), HbA1c1 (long-term marker of BG), blood pressure (BP), blood triglycerides (TGs) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) in healthy and diabetic subjects. The purpose of this study is to measure the changes in the above discussed variables after 8-weeks of resistance exercises.

Participants will perform resistance exercise for 8 weeks and measurements (anthropometric, electromyography, pulse wave velocity, strength test, dual x-ray absorptiometry, blood enzymes/hormones, and sleep, diet, memory surveys) will be performed pre- and post-exercise program.

Participants 60 and above aged (both females and males) will perform one hour of resistance exercise twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Participants 60 and above aged (both females and males) will perform one hour of resistance exercise twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Measurement of muscle electrical activity is made using electromyography technique at baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance exercise.

Measurement of muscle power/strength is made using hand dynamometer at baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance exercise.

Changes in the muscle mass is made using dual x-ray absorptiometry technique at baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance exercise.

Changes in ability to think or remember is measured by using standard survey (Self Administered Gerocognitive Exam Form -1) at baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance exercise.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 60 or above Enrollment in Stay Strong Stay Healthy Program Strength training < 2 hours/week for past 3 months Exclusion Criteria: Not enrolled in Stay Strong Stay Healthy Program Strength training > 2 hours/week for past 3 months Donated more than 463 ml of blood in past 8 weeks Physician discouraged to participate

Geirsdottir OG, Arnarson A, Briem K, Ramel A, Jonsson PV, Thorsdottir I. Effect of 12-week resistance exercise program on body composition, muscle strength, physical function, and glucose metabolism in healthy, insulin-resistant, and diabetic elderly Icelanders. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2012 Nov;67(11):1259-65. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gls096. Epub 2012 Apr 10.

Sale DG. Neural adaptation to resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1988 Oct;20(5 Suppl):S135-45. doi: 10.1249/00005768-198810001-00009.

Pollock ML, Franklin BA, Balady GJ, Chaitman BL, Fleg JL, Fletcher B, Limacher M, Pina IL, Stein RA, Williams M, Bazzarre T. AHA Science Advisory. Resistance exercise in individuals with and without cardiovascular disease: benefits, rationale, safety, and prescription: An advisory from the Committee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention, Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association; Position paper endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine. Circulation. 2000 Feb 22;101(7):828-33. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.101.7.828. No abstract available.

Mayer F, Scharhag-Rosenberger F, Carlsohn A, Cassel M, Muller S, Scharhag J. The intensity and effects of strength training in the elderly. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2011 May;108(21):359-64. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2011.0359. Epub 2011 May 27.

Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA. Hormonal responses and adaptations to resistance exercise and training. Sports Med. 2005;35(4):339-61. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200535040-00004.

Macaluso A, De Vito G. Muscle strength, power and adaptations to resistance training in older people. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004 Apr;91(4):450-72. doi: 10.1007/s00421-003-0991-3. Epub 2003 Nov 25.

Ball S, Gammon R, Kelly PJ, Cheng AL, Chertoff K, Kaume L, Abreu EL, Brotto M. Outcomes of Stay Strong, Stay Healthy in community settings. J Aging Health. 2013 Dec;25(8):1388-97. doi: 10.1177/0898264313507318. Epub 2013 Oct 22.