Resistance Training on an Outdoor Exercise Structure Improves Lower-Body Relative Strength in Older Adults

Abstract

Improving relative strength is important for maintaining functionality with age, and outdoor exercise structures could be useful to facilitate this. A total of 29 adults aged 65+ participated in a non-randomized crossover study with a 6-week control followed by a 6-week resistance training intervention on an outdoor exercise structure (3x/week). Relative strength (predicted maximal leg press/lower body lean mass [Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry]) and physical function variables were measured at baseline, post-control, and post-intervention. Represented as median (25th–75th), lower body relative strength improved from 7.91 (7.01–9.35) post-control to 8.50 (7.99–9.72) post-intervention (p =.002) in study completers (n = 17). Maximum leg press (p =.002), 30-second chair stand (p