LOW-RESISTANCE TRAINING AS A CATALYST FOR ENHANCING MUSCULAR ENDURANCE IN YOUNG-OLDER MALE ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACTIVE AGEING.

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of low-resistance training on muscular endurance of young-older male adults in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria, particularly in the context of promoting active ageing through lifelong physical activity. A repeated-measures experimental research design was used for this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select sixteen (16) volunteer participants between the ages of 60 and 69 years for the study. The training intensity was maintained between 25 and 45% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) and had two sessions per week for a duration of 12 weeks. A stopwatch, stadiometer, resistance machines, electronic handgrip dynamometer and push-pull dynamometer were used as instruments for this study. The participants trained at 25% of 1RM from baseline to the 4th week, at 35% of 1RM from the 4th to the 8th week and at 45% of 1RM from the 8th to the 12th week. The muscular endurance was assessed at baseline and at the end of the 4th, 8th and 12th week of the training period. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to answer the research question, while repeated-measures analysis of variance and Scheffe’s post-hoc test were used to test the stated hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. At the end of the 12-week training period, the major findings from the study showed a significant increase in muscle endurance (p ˂ 0.000); therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. The Scheffe’s post-hoc test further showed significant mean differences in the increasing effect on muscular endurance (p ˂ 0.000) between baseline and the 4th week, the 4th and 8th weeks, and the 8th and 12th weeks of training. In conclusion, LRT at 25-45% of 1RM increased muscular endurance of the young-older male adults. It was further recommended that young-older male adults should train more at low-resistance intensity between 25 and 45% of 1RM to increase muscular endurance for maintaining independence, mobility and overall quality of life.