Blood Flow Restriction and High-intense Resistance Training in Aging: Interactions Between Neuroplasticity and Muscle (BRAIN-M)
Aging, Cognitive Decline, Sarcopenia
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Aging focused on measuring Aging, Motor control, Cognitive function, Neuroplasticity, Brain health, Muscular fitness, Exerkines, Myokines, (Neuro)inflammation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: healthy male older adults able to speak and read fluent Lithuanian living in community during the study Exclusion Criteria: cognitive and neurological disorders (e.g. dementia, stroke, Parkinson, multiple sclerosis) previous lower extremity injury diabetes mellitus type I or II no oncologic disease no bone fractures in the previous year deep vein thrombosis cardiovascular disorders (e.g. congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, uncontrolled arrhythmia, history of myocardial infarction or coronary bypass grafting in the past year) obesity (BMI >30kg/m²) chronic fatigue, chronic headache, or chronic dizziness ineligibility to MRI scanning (e.g. due to claustrofobia or metal implants) The participants should not be engaged in any regular exercise programme during the previous 6 months (according to IPAQ), but able to perform 10 sit-ups Any other consideration that interferes with the study aims and/or risk to the participant, at the discretion of the researcher
Sites / Locations
- Lithuanian Sports UniversityRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
No Intervention
Blood flow restriction training (BFRT)
Muscle damaging resistance training (MDRT)
Control group
Participants will engage in a supervised 12-week lower extremity resistance exercise program, 2 times per week. BFRT will be at an intensity of 40% of 1RM with an occlusive cuff placed at the proximal end of both lower extremities to restrict the return of blood flow. The cuff will be inflated to 50% of the limb occlusion pressure in the first week, which will be increased with 10% every week during the first 4 weeks to reach a maximum of 80% limb occlusion pressure on week 4 that will be kept for the remaining 9 weeks of the program. Each exercise will be performed for 4 sets of 12 repetitions with a 30-second rest period between sets and 3 minutes rest between exercises without occlusion.
Participants will engage in a supervised 12-week lower extremity resistance exercise program, 2 times per week. MDRT will be at an intensity of 80% or 120% of 1RM. The first session will be at 120% 1RM and consist of eccentric-only exercises. The concentric phase of the movement will be supported completely by a coach. The eccentric phase of the movement will be accentuated by increasing the time under tension to six seconds. Each exercise will be performed for 4 sets of 4 repetitions with 2 minutes rest between sets and 3 minutes rest between exercises. The eccentric-only exercise session will be followed by 2 (after the first session) or 3 (after all other sessions) concentric-only exercise sessions at 80% of 1RM. Here, the eccentric phase of the movement will be supported completely by a coach. In the 12 week period, there will be a total of seven eccentric-only exercise sessions.
Control group will be asked to maintain their usual lifestyle.