The Effect of Different Focus of Attention Instructions on Resistance Training and Its Transfer to Gait Parameters in Older Adults

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of strength training with different focus of attention strategies on plantar flexor force and how this affects gait in apparently healthy older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is there an acute effect of focus of attention on non-linear force variability and the subjacent neurophysiological mechanisms in apparently healthy young and older adults?
* Is there a training effect of focus of attention on non-linear force variability and does it transfer to non-linear gait variability as well as the respective subjacent neurophysiological mechanisms in apparently healthy older adults?

Researchers will compare two different external focus strategies with an internal focus to see if non-linear variability increases and subjacent neurophysiological mechanisms are more automized with an external focus of attention compared to an internal focus. In the acute study young adults are assessed as the differences between focus conditions are thought to be in the same direction as for older adults but attenuated.

Participants will carry out training and strength assessments of the calf muscles and walking on a treadmill.

Conditions

• Healthy Aging
• Healthy

Interventions

OTHER

Strength training with an internal focus of attention

A 4 weeks strength training program of seated calf raises with progressive overload is carried out. A supervisor applies force specific internal focus instruction in three sessions per week with at least 48h rest time. One session consists of 3 series until failure with 75%RM. Rest intervals between series are defined as 2 minutes.

OTHER

Strength training with a proprioceptive external focus of attention

A 4 weeks strength training program of seated calf raises with progressive overload is carried out. A supervisor applies force specific proprioceptive external focus instruction in three sessions per week with at least 48h rest time. One session consists of 3 series until failure with 75%RM. Rest intervals between series are defined as 2 minutes.

OTHER

Strength training with a visual external focus of attention

A 4 weeks strength training program of seated calf raises with progressive overload is carried out. A supervisor applies force specific visual external focus instruction in three sessions per week with at least 48h rest time. One session consists of 3 series until failure with 75%RM. Rest intervals between series are defined as 2 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

  collaborator OTHER

• Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-04-01

Primary Completion

2026-04-30

Completion

2026-04-30

Countries

• Portugal