The number of people 80+ years old is dramatically increasing. This is the age range that has been shown to rely most heavily on muscle power for everyday tasks. However, it is also the age range that shows the greatest decline in the stretch-shortening cycle, peak power output, balance and gait.
Fortunately for the elderly, their response to training is nearly to the same extent as younger adults. This means that the elderly can increase muscle mass, strength, and power. Each of these qualities have been shown to improve physical (and mental) function leading to a better quality of life.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POWER AND STRENGTH
Strength is the amount of tension we can produce to overcome a force, or just simply how much weight we can lift. Power is relative to how fast we can move that weight. So, if you were squatting 100 kg and one rep took you 3 seconds to complete and another rep you completed in 2 seconds; we would say that you expressed more power on your second rep because you went faster.
More recently in the elderly population, power training (training with faster repetition speeds, and/or intention, of movement) has been shown to produce greater improvements in maximal force, power output, and explosive force then traditional (slower rep) strength training. Muscle power has also recently been shown to be a predictor of longevity/mortality as well.
Power training (faster reps) is highly suggested for the elderly. Ensure they have a good base, then build strength and progress to power.
Article courtesy of Eleiko
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