Ageing in humans is accompanied by a progressive decline in lower-limb muscle power production. In addition to a decline in musculoskeletal fitness, ageing is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular and metabolic fitness. Therefore, if exercise interventions aim for a high impact on the overall health status of middle-aged and older adults, they should combine endurance, high-intensity interval training and muscular strengthening activities. Recreational football training combines all these training components, which implies that it could constitute an adequate training modality for participants of all ages. What remains to be investigated in more detail, is whether recreational football training can improve muscle power production in middle-aged to older adults and whether this potential improvement is present across the full force-velocity (F-V) profile. Next to a detailed analysis of the leg-extensor F-V profile as primary outcome, simultaneous effects on functional capacity, body composition and endurance exercise capacity were investigated. In addition, feasibility and the physical demands (internal and external load indicators) of the training program were tracked throughout the intervention period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
10-week progressive football training with small-sided games, 2x/week, 45min-1h sessions
Department of Movement Sciences
Leuven, Belgium
Maximal power
Force-velocity profiling is carried out unilaterally (dominant leg) on the pneumatic leg press device (Leg Press CC, HUR, Kokkola, Finland). The test protocol consists of a maximal isometric test (knee joint angle = 85°, hip angle = 55°; 3 attempts of 3s), followed by explosive concentric leg extensions at gradually increasing loads (unloaded, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% of the maximal isometric force, 2-3 attempts per load, and additional single repetitions until one-repetition maximum is reached). Mean velocity of the best trial per load is used to estimate the individual F-v relationship through a linear equation. This F-v relationship will be used to examine the exercise-induced adaptations. Maximal power is used for the analyses.
Time frame: Time Frame: Change from baseline in maximal power (watt) at 12 weeks
Maximal force
Force-velocity profiling is carried out unilaterally (dominant leg) on the pneumatic leg press device (Leg Press CC, HUR, Kokkola, Finland). The test protocol consists of a maximal isometric test (knee joint angle = 85°, hip angle = 55°; 3 attempts of 3s), followed by explosive concentric leg extensions at gradually increasing loads (unloaded, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% of the maximal isometric force, 2-3 attempts per load, and additional single repetitions until one-repetition maximum is reached). Mean velocity of the best trial per load is used to estimate the individual F-v relationship through a linear equation. This F-v relationship will be used to examine the exercise-induced adaptations. Maximal force is used for the analyses.
Time frame: Time Frame: Change from baseline in maximal force (N) at 12 weeks
Maximal velocity
Force-velocity profiling is carried out unilaterally (dominant leg) on the pneumatic leg press device (Leg Press CC, HUR, Kokkola, Finland). The test protocol consists of a maximal isometric test (knee joint angle = 85°, hip angle = 55°; 3 attempts of 3s), followed by explosive concentric leg extensions at gradually increasing loads (unloaded, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% of the maximal isometric force, 2-3 attempts per load, and additional single repetitions until one-repetition maximum is reached). Mean velocity of the best trial per load is used to estimate the individual F-v relationship through a linear equation. This F-v relationship will be used to examine the exercise-induced adaptations. Maximal velocity is used for the analyses.
Time frame: Time Frame: Change from baseline in maximal velocity (m/s) at 12 weeks
Slope of F-V profile
Force-velocity profiling is carried out unilaterally (dominant leg) on the pneumatic leg press device (Leg Press CC, HUR, Kokkola, Finland). The test protocol consists of a maximal isometric test (knee joint angle = 85°, hip angle = 55°; 3 attempts of 3s), followed by explosive concentric leg extensions at gradually increasing loads (unloaded, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% of the maximal isometric force, 2-3 attempts per load, and additional single repetitions until one-repetition maximum is reached). Mean velocity of the best trial per load is used to estimate the individual F-v relationship through a linear equation. This F-v relationship will be used to examine the exercise-induced adaptations. The equation's slope is used for the analyses.
Time frame: Time Frame: Change from baseline in the slope of F-V profile at 12 weeks
Exercise adherence
Number of sessions attended as a percentage of total sessions planned
Time frame: Total adherence over 10-week period
Enjoyment
Question: 'How much did you enjoy the training program?' Answer: 11-point Likert scale (0 = 'not at all...' to 10 = 'very...'
Time frame: within 1 week post-intervention
Score on feasibility questionnaire
Question: 'How feasible was the training program for you?' Answer: 11-point Likert scale (0 = 'not at all...' to 10 = 'very...'
Time frame: within 1 week post-intervention
Future intention to participate
Question: 'How high is the chance that you subscribe for a new sequence of training sessions?' Answer: 11-point Likert scale (0 = 'not at all...' to 10 = 'very...'
Time frame: within 1 week post-intervention
External load: total distance
Total distance covered per training session, measured by means of GPS metrics
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
External load: meters in speed zones
Total meters in different speed zones per training session, measured by means of GPS metrics
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
Internal load: time in speed zones
Total time in different speed zones per training session, measured by means of GPS metrics
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
External load: number of accelerations
Number of accelerations (\> 2m/s²), measured by means of GPS metrics
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
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External load: number of decelerations
Number of decelerations (\< -2m/s²), measured by means of GPS metrics
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
Internal load: average heart rate
Average heart rate (percent of heart rate max) during training session, measured by means of heart rate sensor
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
Internal load: time in heart rate zone
Total time in different heart rate zones per training session, measured by means of heart rate sensor
Time frame: Average calculated over 10-week period
Gait speed
The average speed to walk 10m as fast as possible (in m/s)
Time frame: Change from baseline in gait speed at 10 weeks
Countermovement jump height
Jump height (cm) in a countermovement jump
Time frame: Change from baseline in countermovement jump height at 10 weeks
Timed up and go
Time (in s) needed to stand up from a chair, walk 3 m, turn, walk back and sit down again (as fast as possible)
Time frame: Change from baseline in timed up and go time at 10 weeks
5-repetition sit-to-stand time
The time (s) needed to perform 5 sit-to-stand transitions.
Time frame: Change from baseline in sit-to-stand performance at 10 weeks
5-repetition sit-to-stand power
The power (watt) needed to perform 5 sit-to-stand transitions.
Time frame: Change from baseline in sit-to-stand performance at 10 weeks
Stair ascent time
The time (s) needed to ascend a flight of stairs.
Time frame: Change from baseline in stair climbing performance at 10 weeks
Stair ascent power
The power (watt) needed to ascend a flight of stairs.
Time frame: Change from baseline in stair climbing performance at 10 weeks
Body fat percentage
Percentage of body fat, measured with bio-electrical impedance analysis
Time frame: Change from baseline in body fat percentage at 10 weeks
Skeletal muscle mass
Skeletal muscle mass, estimated with bio-electrical impedance analysis
Time frame: Change from baseline in skeletal muscle mass at 10 weeks
Running speed at 2mM lactate
Endurance exercise capacity test on treadmill: running speed at 2mM lactate value
Time frame: Change from baseline in running speed at 10 weeks
Running speed at 4mM lactate
Endurance exercise capacity test on treadmill: running speed at 4mM lactate value
Time frame: Change from baseline in running speed at 10 weeks
Rate of perceived exertion (RPE)
RPE of the common highest intensity block, completed in the pre- as well as post-intervention test (i.e., values at the same speed level in both tests)
Time frame: Change from baseline in RPE at 10 weeks
Lactate value
Lactate value of the common highest intensity block, completed in the pre- as well as post-intervention test (i.e., values at the same speed level in both tests)
Time frame: Change from baseline in lactate at 10 weeks