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COMPARISON OF LOWER BODY POWER BETWEEN SEDENTARY, RECREATIONALLY ACTIVE, AND MASTERS ATHLETE OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Keyona Smith, Jordan M. Glenn, Michelle Gray, Jennifer L. Vincenzo, Collin Cannella; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Arkansas

Maintenance of lower body power is essential to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Long-term conservation of functional power has been related to increased physical activity, however the level of activity required to maintain functional power is unclear. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare sedentary (SED), recreationally active (RA), and masters athlete (MA) older adults’ ability to generate lower body power and velocity during the five time sit-to-stand exercise. METHODS: Groups of SED (n = 20, age = 61.0 ± 5.8), RA (n = 57, age = 63.5 ± 8.4), and MA (n = 25, age = 57.5 ± 7.9) volunteered for this study. SED and RA groups were established based on resultant scores from the Rapid Physical Activity Questionnaire and MA were categorized based on participation in sanctioned, athletic competition within the past 6-months. Lower body peak power (PP), average power (AP), peak velocity (PV), and average velocity (AV) were measured using the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer (TWA). The TWA was attached at the hip of each participant and they were then instructed to sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor, arms crossed over the shoulders, and hands on the acromion processes. The participant then completed five consecutive chair-stands as quickly and safely as possible without removing the arms from the shoulders. RESULTS: MA had significantly (p < .05) higher PP (12.11 ± 2.03) and AP (7.10 ± 0.14) compared to RA (10.42 ± 4.27 and 6.52 ± 2.68, respectively) or SED (9.21 ± 3.83 and 5.76 ± 2.34 respectively). Similar significant differences were noticed for PV and AV among SED (0.96 ± 0.36, 0.60 ± 0.25), RA (1.05 ± 0.37, 0.66 ± 0.23), and MA (1.23 ± 0.20, 0.75 ± 0.14). No differences were observed between sedentary and recreationally active adults for any measures. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that MA are able to maintain lower body power to a greater extent than RA or SED older adults. The longitudinal ability to maintain power may potentially increase performance of ADLs and help continuation of independent living

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