Power vs Strength Training for Preventing Falls in Older Adults

(HIPS Trial)

Overseen By Vicki L Gray, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Maryland, Baltimore

Must not be taking: Sedatives

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Non-ambulatory, Musculoskeletal, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 12 weeks

100 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using sedatives, you would not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for preventing falls in older adults?

Research shows that power training, which involves lifting weights quickly, can significantly improve muscle power and strength in older adults, more so than traditional strength training. This increase in muscle power is important for better physical function, which can help prevent falls. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is strength and power training safe for older adults?

Strength and power training are generally safe for older adults, with no serious adverse events commonly reported. However, some experts caution against explosive movements in power training for older people, and more research is needed to fully understand the safety aspects. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

How does power training differ from strength training in preventing falls in older adults?

Power training, which involves lifting weights quickly and lowering them under control, may be more effective than traditional strength training in improving physical function in older adults. This is because muscle power, rather than just muscle strength, is a key factor in enhancing physical abilities and preventing falls. ^{1 2 4 6 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Falls and their consequences are among the major problems in the medical care of older individuals. The long-term goal of this research is to develop a mechanistically based therapeutic intervention to enhance muscle power, weight-shifting capability, and lateral balance function through protective stepping to prevent falls. When human balance is challenged, protective stepping is a vital strategy for preventing a fall during activities of daily life. Many older people at risk for falls have particular difficulties with successfully stepping sideways as a protective response to loss of balance in the lateral direction. Age-related declines in lateral balance function result from neuromuscular and biomechanical limitations in hip abductor-adductor muscle power generation. This study will test whether these impairments can be improved with high-velocity hip muscle resistance power training that will be more effective than conventional resistance strength training.

Research Team

Vicki L Gray, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who are 65 or older, living independently in the community, and generally healthy. They must be able to function on their own without assistance. People with significant medical conditions like neurological impairments, severe musculoskeletal issues, diabetes, kidney or liver diseases; those taking sedatives; non-ambulatory individuals; or those with cognitive impairment (scoring below 24 on the Mini Mental Score Exam) cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Living in the community

I am 65 years old or older.

Generally healthy

Exclusion Criteria

I use sedatives.

Any general medical problem that will interfere with testing or training

I cannot walk by myself.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo hip abductor-adductor resistance exercises, either power or strength training, for 12 weeks

12 weeks

3 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in muscle power and incidence of falls

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Power Training
• Strength Training

Trial Overview The study is examining whether high-velocity hip muscle resistance power training can improve muscle power and lateral balance in seniors to help prevent falls. It will compare this method against conventional strength training to see which is more effective at enhancing protective stepping and preventing falls when balance is lost.

Participant Groups

Group I: Power Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Hip abductor-adductor resistance exercises at 75% maximum strength and maximum execution speed, 3, 1-hour training sessions per week for 12 weeks.

Group II: Strength Training Active Control 1 Intervention

Hip muscle abductor-adductor resistance exercises at maximum strength at reduced execution speed (2s concentric/3s eccentric), 3, 1-hour training sessions per week for 12 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Lead Sponsor

Trials

729

Recruited

540,000+

VA Maryland Health Care System

Collaborator

Trials

11

Recruited

740+

Findings from Research

Resistance training (RT) significantly reduces all-cause mortality and the incidence of cardiovascular disease while improving physical functioning in adults, based on an analysis of 11 systematic reviews involving over 382,000 participants.

Although adverse events were not consistently reported, serious adverse events related to RT were uncommon, suggesting that the benefits of resistance training outweigh the potential harms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training and health in adults: an overview of systematic reviews. El-Kotob, R., Ponzano, M., Chaput, JP., et al.[2021]

Strength-training exercises, performed regularly (2 to 3 days per week), can effectively combat sarcopenia in older adults by building muscle strength and mass, preserving bone density, and enhancing overall vitality.

These exercises not only reduce the risk of osteoporosis but also alleviate symptoms of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while improving sleep and reducing depression, highlighting their broad health benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The benefits of strength training for older adults. Seguin, R., Nelson, ME.[2022]

References

1. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High velocity power training in older adults. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Power Training vs Traditional Strength Training on Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lower extremity muscle function after strength or power training in older adults. [2021]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of power training compared to strength training in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chronic Effects of Different Intensities of Power Training on Neuromuscular Parameters in Older People: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. [2023]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strength Training to Prevent Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. [2021]

7. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Power Training Prescription in Older Individuals: Is It Safe and Effective to Promote Neuromuscular Functional Improvements? [2023]

8. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training and health in adults: an overview of systematic reviews. [2021]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is power training effective to produce muscle hypertrophy in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2021]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The benefits of strength training for older adults. [2022]