Effect Of Heightened Mental Effort During Elastic Band Training On Physical Function In Older Women

PURPOSE: Age-related declines in neuromuscular function have an important role in the age-related loss of muscle power and physical function. Heightened mental effort, a cognitive strategy that involves imagining maximal muscle effort during resistance training, could enhance neuromuscular adaptations. The purpose of this study was to determine if heightened mental effort, when used during elastic band training, enhances physical function outcomes in older women. METHODS: Older women (65-79 yrs) were randomized into either a control group (CON; n = 10), elastic band training group (EB; n = 11), or elastic band training with heightened mental effort group (EB + ME; n = 12). Both training groups completed full body elastic band training 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Prior to each exercise set, those in the EB + ME group were instructed to "imagine their muscle contracting maximally" during each repetition, while the EB group completed the exercises without mental effort cues. Before and after the intervention, measures of physical function were obtained including the number of chair rises performed in 30 seconds (CR30), time taken to complete 5 chair rises (CR5), and maximum (MWS) and preferred (PWS) walking speed. Maximum chair rise power and fatigue index for power were obtained via linear transducer attached at the waist. Two-way (group×time) repeated measures ANOVAs were used to evaluate changes in physical function and power. RESULTS: CR30 (p = 0.015; 4.8%) and MWS (p = 0.004; 6.7%) were improved in only the EB + ME group. Chair rise power (p = 0.041; 6.6%) and PWS (p = 0.041; 3.6%) increased in all groups. No changes were found for CR5 or fatigue index for power (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that heightened mental effort during moderate intensity exercise may augment improvements in some physical function outcomes in older women. More studies are needed to determine if heightened mental effort is a practical strategy that improves training-induced outcomes as this could benefit older populations not able or willing to train with higher loads.