In studies with younger adults, both improvements in muscular strength ( 4, 24) and balance ( 16, 23) were observed. Previous studies focusing on patients with low back pain indicated an increased trunk muscle activation of transversus abdominis, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, multifidi and erector spinae during exercises with a sling trainer ( 15, 25). One possible core stability program is called sling training. Because of these effects, functional core stability training programs were conducted in previous intervention studies for older adults ( 12, 9). This can result in better core stability and balance. By strengthening core muscles an optimal load transmission from upper to lower body can be realized ( 34). However, compared to traditional strength training alone, timed performance of functional abilities like chair rising or stair climbing ( 20) and balance ( 5) only changed with additional functional exercises during strength training.Ĭore stability training is a sort of training that combines both functional and strength components. Strength improvements from traditional resistance training alone and with additional functional (strengthening) exercises are similar ( 11). During a reaction task, older adults participating in functional resistance training significantly enhanced their movement time whereas training with weight machines could not achieve this result ( 33). For maximal walking speed, a significant enhancement was observed within the functional strength training but not within the traditional resistance training group ( 29). Compared to traditional resistance training, previous studies showed a similar one repetition maximum (1RM) increase ( 29, 19) and a significant improvement in the sit-to-stand test ( 19) through functional resistance training, whereas the weight machine group did not change significantly. In past years, sport science has tended to focus on functional strength training for older adults, because it is geared to daily life movements (performing complex movements with own body weight). Traditional strength training with weight machines for older adults has been shown to increase muscular strength ( 29), balance performance if lower limb muscles were trained ( 17), and functional tasks ( 10). Beyond that, exercise intervention studies have demonstrated positive effects on strength, balance, and functional performance for older adults ( 10, 17, 29). It is recommended for older adults to perform regular physical activity to avoid functional limitations ( 22). These age-related changes result in strength, balance, and mobility declines ( 13, 7, 8, 3, 2), which could induce falls or a loss of independence ( 28, 18). Furthermore, deteriorated proprioception ( 14, 1) and reaction time ( 6) were observed with increasing age.
The aging process of skeletal muscles is characterized by a reduced number of motor units, muscle fibers and size of type 2 fibers that lead to a loss of muscular strength and power ( 32). On the basis of the detailed information about training control, TRX-OldAge can be individually adapted for each older adult appropriate to its precondition, demands and preference. All participants noted positive effects whereas strength gains were the most. The training intensity, duration and frequency were rated as optimal. After study period, 91 % of the participants were motivated to continue with the program. Feasibility data was evaluated in terms of training compliance and a self-developed questionnaire for rating TRX-OldAge. At each stage, intensity could be increased through changes in position.
All participants trained in the TRX-OldAge whole-body workout which consists of seven exercises including 3–4 progressively advancing stages of difficulty for every exercise. Eleven participants finished the 12 week intervention study. The purpose of this study was to develop a TRX Suspension Training for healthy older adults (TRX-OldAge) and to evaluate its feasibility. However, to our knowledge no recent sling training program for healthy older adults included a detailed training control which is indeed an essential component in designing and implementing this type of training to reach positive effects. Due to its effects (core muscle activation, strength and balance improvements), sling training may be relevant for older adults. Sling training, a form of functional training, was primarily developed for therapy and rehabilitation. Because of its proximity to daily activities functional training becomes more important for older adults.
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