The effects of Resistance Training intensity on lower limb muscular function in elderly women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week resistance training program with different intensity levels (low, moderate, and high) on lower-limb muscular function in elderly women. Twenty-one women aged 65 years or older were randomly assigned to three groups according to exercise intensity. Lower-limb muscular function was assessed using isokinetic measurements of the knee joint before and after the intervention. The results showed that moderate-intensity training significantly improved peak torque/body weight, average work, total work, and average power during knee extension, particularly in the left limb (p <.05). Low-intensity training also demonstrated significant improvements in several variables, especially in the right knee joint during flexion and extension (p <.05). In contrast, high-intensity training did not show significant improvements. These findings suggest that resistance training is effective in improving lower-limb muscular function in elderly women. In particular, low- to moderate-intensity resistance training may be a practical and beneficial approach for this population. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs are required.