Abstract
HISTORY: 86 year old previously sedentary female agreed to participate in a linearly progressed resistance training program for six months. Prior to participation, the subject was evaluated by a physician and cleared to participate in the program. Medical history revealed a history of atrial fibrillation, hypothyroidism, hypertension, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, as well as peripheral edema. The subject reported the use of Norvasc, Losartan Potassium, Hydralazine Hcl, and Doxazosin Mesylate for her hypertension, Xarelto for her atrial fibrillation, Levothyroxine for her hypothyroidism, Latanoprost for her glaucoma as well as Lasix for her peripheral edema. Prior to initiation of the resistance training intervention, the subject’s only self-reported physical activity was walking. She reported walking, on average, 1 - 3 hours per week. The subject also reported sleeping, on average, less than 5 hours per night.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The subject completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) prior to initiating the resistance training intervention. Results of the subject’s initial SPPB showed that she was unable to maintain a semi-tandem or tandem stand for 10 seconds, required the use of a walker to ambulate a distance of four meters, and was unable to transfer from sit-to-stand without the use of her upper extremities.
TEST AND RESULTS:
Initial SPPB score of 2/12, consistent with poor balance, gait speed, and lower extremity functional strength
Initial Leg Press calculated 1RM = 23.1 kg
Initial Lat Pulldown calculated 1RM = 8.6 kg
Initial Bench Press calculated 1RM = 7.7 kg
INTERVENTION: A linearly progressed resistance training program comprised of the leg press, barbell bench press, and lat pulldown machine was implemented an average of twice per week for 6 months. The goal of the resistance training program was to make a small increase in the training load used on each of the three exercises as often as possible.
OUTCOMES: Improvements of calculated 1RM of 209.8%, 268.4%, and 94.1% were noted for the leg press, lat pulldown, and bench press respectively. SPPB score double from 2/12 to 4/12. Additionally, the subject was also able to successfully transfer from sit-to-stand without the use of her upper extremities for assistance and no longer required the use of a walker during ambulation.