The Effects of Elastic Band-based High Speed Power Training on Muscle Function and Cognitive Function of Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Backgrounds: As the number of older population continues to rise, the interest in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), that is pre-stage of Alzheimers disease (AD), is kept increasing as well. Though a variety of interventions was tried to delay the progression from MCI to AD, the effect of resistance training has been emphasized to maintain and improve cognitive function in older adults with MCI. Recently, high-speed power training (HSPT), one form of resistance training, has been proposed to be one of the effective protocol for older adults to improve muscle strength and physical performance compared to traditional resistance training. Based on the results of previous studies, HSPT may be considered as a potential muscle power training to promote therapeutic developments in older population. In addition, elastic band training has been shown to be effective and safe for older adults as an alternative to machine-based resistance exercise. Although the effectiveness of power training and elastic band-based exercise was well understood, no intervention study has examined the effect of HSPT using elastic band on muscle strength, physical performance, and cognitive function in older adults with MCI. The present study proved effect of elastic band-based HSPT through comparing between HPST and SSST and, it tried to confirm a cognitive function by HSPT. Methods: Fifty-eight women aged over 65 years with MCI were randomly assigned into high-speed power training group (n=20), slow-speed strength training group (n=19) and control group (balance and tone group, n=19). Thirty subjects (HSPT group=14, slow-speed strength training (SSST) group=9, balance and tone (CON) group=7) completed the study. The both of exercise group completed a 12 weeks exercise program and was encouraged to exercise at home as well during the intervention period. Results: The results showed significant increases in muscle strength, physical performance and cognitive function assessed by the knee extensor muscle (60°/sec and 180°/sec), grip strength, SPPB scores, digit span forward test, digit span backward test, the Stroop test B, the trail making test-Part A, MMSE-K, and MoCA-K. Conclusion: 12 weeks of elastic band-based HSPT significantly improved muscle strength including peak torque, physical performance including SPPB, and various cognitive functions (attention, short-term memory, working memory, and executive function). Based on these results, the elastic band-based HSPT and SSST program showed greater improvements in muscle strength and physical performance and HSPT using elastic band was both safe and effective for elderly women with MCI on improving the muscle strength, physical performance, and cognitive functions.