The positive long-term effects of exercise training on health-related outcomes in elderly people as well as the negative effects of training interruption are well documented. Despite largely used, little is knowing about the effects of detraining/re-training in water-based exercise training.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of water-based detraining/re-training on low limb peak torque and functional capacity in an elderly population.
METHODS: One hundred and eighty-nine older individuals (68±6yrs) from both genders (176 female and 13 male) engaged in water-based training (training period = 6±3yrs), had their lower limb peak torque (dynamometer), functional capacity (Time Up and Go test [TUG]; and 6-min walk test [6WT]) assessed before exercise training interruption (TI), after 12-weeks of interruption (DT) and after 12-weeks of re-training (RT) on water-based strength training (45minute per session twice a week).
RESULTS: : Lower limb peak torque decreased from TI (12.83+3.86 kg/f) to DT (10.78+ 3.66) (p < 0.01), and was increased after RT (17.37 + 4.35 kg/f) (p < 0.01), achieving higher values compared to TI (p <0.01). No effects of detraining were observed for both 6WT or TUG (P>0.05), however re-training increases the performance on 6WT (425.94+ 65.30 m) and TUG (6.84+1.50 sec) compared to the TI (6WT= 390.00+ 55.47 m; TUG= 9.71+ 1.91 sec; p <0.01, for all).
CONCLUSIONS: Detraining decreases muscle strength, but does not affect functional capacity. Water-based re-training induces additional improvements on muscle low limb peak torque and functional capacity in elderly people previously engaged in water-based training.