Effects of a Short-Term Low-Load Elastic Exercise Program on Sarcopenia in Older Adult Women

Study Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of a short-term (three times a week for a total of four weeks) low-load elastic exercise program on sarcopenia-related parameters and the contractile properties of the vastus lateralis in twenty older adult women. Methods: All participants underwent assessments for sarcopenia-related parameters, including body composition, strength, and functional performance. Tensiomyography was utilized to evaluate the contractile properties of the vastus lateralis. A paired samples t-test was employed to compare pre-and post-exercise intervention measurements. Results: Except for body weight, all parameters associated with sarcopenia showed a significant difference following low-load elastic exercise program (p < 0.05). Tensiomyography of the vastus lateralis indicated a considerable increase in contraction time after low-load elastic exercise program (p < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in maximum radial displacement or velocity of contraction. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a short-term low-load elastic exercise program may be associated with improvements in sarcopenia–related indicators, including muscle strength and muscle contraction characteristics, in older adults, while being time-efficient.