Publications by authors named "Luis Alegre"

Life expectancy has increased worldwide alongside a rise in disability prevalence during old age. The impact and interrelationship among the precursors of disability in midlife remain to be better understood. Furthermore, investigating whether lifestyle factors may potentially influence health outcomes and the prognosis of vascular disease could be especially relevant among the middle-aged population, which is a priority subpopulation when prevention is the goal.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Although the metabolic equivalents (METs) system is a common procedure to quantify the intensity of physical activity in older adults, it remains unclear whether the conventional METs intensity thresholds (CTs) used for this purpose are appropriate in this population. Therefore, this study aimed (i) to derive overall and fitness-specific METs intensity thresholds in older adults ≥ 60 years old (OATs) expressed both in standard METs (VO/3.5 mL O·kg·min) and older adults METs (VO/2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Concurrent training has been shown to be a beneficial approach to improve overall health status in older adults. However, little is known about the adaptations of this type of training in the long term (i.e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A randomized controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of supervised versus unsupervised exercise programs for improving health in older adults, with a focus on safety, adherence, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Participants aged 60-75 will be divided into five groups: a control group, two supervised groups (with and without motivational support), and two unsupervised groups (also with and without motivational support), participating in a 24-week multicomponent exercise program.
  • The motivation strategies for the supervised and unsupervised groups include phone calls and workshops, while outcomes will measure various health aspects, including muscle function, mental health, and overall quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cornejo-Daza, PJ, Sánchez-Valdepeñas, J, Rodiles-Guerrero, L, Páez-Maldonado, JA, Ara, I, León-Prados, JA, Alegre, LM, Pareja-Blanco, F, and Alcazar, J. Vastus lateralis muscle size is differently associated with the different regions of the squat force-velocity and load-velocity relationships, rate of force development, and physical performance young men. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 450-458, 2024-The influence that regional muscle size and muscle volume may have on different portions of the force-velocity (F-V) and load-velocity (L-V) relationships, explosive force, and muscle function of the lower limbs is poorly understood.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To analyse the force-velocity relationship changes in response to two different training programmes differing in the set configuration (cluster vs. traditional), and their impact on physical function and frailty in pre-frail and frail older adults.

Methods: 43 pre-frail and frail (Frailty Phenotype ≥ 1 criteria) older adults (81.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Estimating lower-limb muscle power during sit-to-stand (STS) tests is feasible for large-scale implementation. This study investigated 1) whether age, functional limitations and sex have an influence on the movement strategy and power production during STS; and 2) potential differences between STS power estimated with either a simple equation or a sensor. Five-repetition STS data of 649 subjects (♂352 ♀297) aged 19 to 93 years were included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: This study aimed to assess the residual effects of a 12-week concurrent training program (power training + high-intensity interval training) in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A total of 21 older adults with COPD [intervention (INT), n = 8; control (CON), n = 13; 76.9 ± 6.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of this study is to provide a force-velocity (F-V) equation that combines a linear and a hyperbolic region, and to compare its derived results to those obtained from linear equations. A total of 10 cross-training athletes and 14 recreationally resistance-trained young men were assessed in the unilateral leg press (LP) and bilateral bench press (BP) exercises, respectively. F-V data were recorded using a force plate and a linear encoder.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To compare the effect of 4 velocity-loss (VL) thresholds-0% (VL0), 15% (VL15), 25% (VL25), and 50% (VL50)-on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy during the bench press (BP) exercise using intensities ranging from 55% to 70% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM).

Methods: Fifty resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to 4 groups that followed an 8-week (16 sessions) BP training program at 55% to 70% 1RM but differed in the VL allowed in each set (VL0, VL15, VL25, and VL50). Assessments performed before (pre) and after (post) the training program included (1) cross-sectional area of pectoralis major muscle, (2) maximal isometric test, (3) progressive loading test, and (4) fatigue test in the BP exercise.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is presumably caused by excessive tension in the iliotibial band (ITB) leading to compression and inflammation of tissues lying beneath it. Usually managed conservatively, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the treatment recommendations, and high symptom recurrence rates cast doubt on their causal effectiveness. This review discusses the influence of common physiotherapeutic measures on risk factors contributing to tissue compression beneath the ITB.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: This study aimed i) to compare relative sit-to-stand power (STS) values yielded by the different equations reported in the literature; ii) to examine the associations between STS, derived from the equations, and age, sex, frailty and habitual gait speed (HGS); and iii) to compare the ability of the different STS equations to detect frailty and low HGS in older adults.

Methods: 1568 participants (>65 years) were included. STS was calculated according to four validated equations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to determine the specific adaptations provoked by power-oriented resistance training using light (LL-PT, 40% 1-RM) vs. heavy (HL-PT, 80% 1-RM) loads in older adults. Using a randomized within-subject study design, 45 older adults (>65 years) completed an 8-week control period (CTR) followed by 12 weeks of unilateral LL-PT vs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purposes of this study were: (i) to evaluate the association of sit-to-stand (STS) power and body composition parameters [body mass index (BMI) and legs skeletal muscle index (SMI)] with age; (ii) to provide cut-off points for low relative STS power (STS), (iii) to provide normative data for well-functioning older adults and (iv) to assess the association of low STS with negative outcomes. Cross-sectional design (1369 older adults). STS power parameters assessed by validated equations, BMI and Legs SMI assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were recorded.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

To provide information regarding the anthropometric and fitness profile of young karatekas and to study its evolution with age. Data from top-level karatekas were included in the analysis: 97 athletes in the U14 category (12-13 years old), 238 in cadet (14-15 years old), 261 in junior (16-17 years old) and 177 in U21 (18-20 years old), which makes a total of 773 athlete data sets. Karatekas underwent anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index and body fat percentage) and fitness (sit and reach, 20-m shuttle run, standing long jump, overhead 3-kg ball throw, 10x5-m shuttle run, and plate-tapping) assessments during the training camps organized by the Spanish National Karate Federation between 1999 and 2016.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: It is important for sport scientists and health professionals to have estimative methods for energy demand during different physical activities. The metabolic equivalent of task (MET) provides a feasible approach for classifying activity intensity as a multiple of the resting metabolic rate (RMR). RMR is generally assumed to be 3.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: A validated, standardized, and feasible test to assess muscle power in older adults has recently been reported: the sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power test. This investigation aimed to assess the relationship between relative STS power and age and to provide normative data, cut-off points, and minimal clinically important differences (MCID) for STS power measures in older women and men.

Methods: A total of 9320 older adults (6161 women and 3159 men) aged 60-103 years and 586 young and middle-aged adults (318 women and 268 men) aged 20-60 years were included in this cross-sectional study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The 30-s sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power test is a valid test to assess muscle power in older people; however, whether it may be used to assess trajectories of lower-limb muscle power through the adult lifespan is not known. This study evaluated the pattern and time course of variations in relative, allometric and specific STS muscle power throughout the lifespan.

Methods: Subjects participating in the Copenhagen Sarcopenia Study (729 women and 576 men; aged 20 to 93 years) were included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Being able to rise from a chair is paramount for independent living and is strongly influenced by the ability of the lower limbs to exert mechanical power. This study assessed minimal thresholds of lower-limb relative muscle power required to perform the sit-to-stand (STS) task in older adults and its association with mobility limitations and disability.

Methods: A total of 11,583 older adults (age, 60-103 yr) participated in this investigation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the adaptations provoked by various velocity loss (VL) thresholds used in resistance training on the squat force-velocity (F-V) relationship.

Methods: Sixty-four resistance-trained young men were randomly assigned to one of four 8-week resistance training programs (all 70%-85% 1-repetition maximum) using different VL thresholds (VL0 = 0%, VL10 = 10%, VL20 = 20%, and VL40 = 40%) in the squat exercise. The F-V relationship was assessed under unloaded and loaded conditions in squat.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study investigated the acute responses to volume-load-matched heavy-load (80% 1RM) versus light-load (40% 1RM) power-oriented resistance training sessions in well-functioning older adults. Using a randomized cross-over design, 15 volunteers completed each condition on a leg press. Neuromuscular (maximal isometric force and rate of force development) and functional performance (power during sit-to-stand test), lactate, and muscle damage biochemistry (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein serum concentration) were assessed pre- and post-exercise.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF