Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Why Power Training for Seniors

 All strength exercises involve some degree of resistance. The intensity of that resistance determines which form of strength will be developed. Light resistance and high repetitions will best develop endurance strength. Medium resistance and repetitions will develop stamina strength. High resistance and low repetitions will develop power strength.

Of the three forms of strength, power is the most neglected by seniors.

High resistance strength training (HRST) or what I call power training is essential if the senior is to prevent the loss of muscle and bone mass, which can lead to sarcopenia (the excessive loss of muscle mass) and osteopenia (the loss of bone mass). Power training is the exercise that develops the major skeletal muscles. 

Power training is essential if the senior is to prevent the loss of muscle and bone mass, which can lead to sarcopenia (the excessive loss of muscle mass) and osteopenia (the loss of bone mass). Power training is the exercise that develops muscle mass in the major skeletal muscles.  

Power Exercise

Power is to exert maximum force over a very short period of time usually for only a few seconds. In sports, both weight lifting and power lifting rely on muscular power. Power training builds tensile mass of the muscle. The effects of power training apply primarily to the adaptation to the fast-twitch muscle fibers. These muscle fibers grow larger and the contractile power increases.

Power exercise not only builds muscle mass, but also builds bone mass. There is a strong correlation between sarcopenia (the loss of muscle mass) and osteopenia (the loss of bone mass). Osteoporosis, the extreme form of osteopenia, is most prevalent in post-menopausal women, but men can also be afflicted in their senior years.

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