Heavy resistance training in the management of hip pain in older adults: A case series.

Background And Purpose: Resistance training has been shown to improve strength, endurance, and function in healthy older adults. The purpose of this case series was to describe the outcomes of a rehabilitation program consisting of heavy resistance training in older adults for management of hip pain.

Case Description: Two male patients, aged 69 and 71, with chronic hip pain, participated in a six-week progressive resistance training rehabilitation program at loads equivalent to 76-81% of their one repetition maximum. Outcomes were assessed at evaluation, three, and six weeks. Outcomes included the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, hip and lumbar mobility, and the Five Times Sit to Stand test.

Outcomes: By six weeks, each patient reported 0/10 pain and demonstrated clinically important improvements on the LEFS. Both patients' final scores on the Five Times Sit to Stand test fell below the 15 second value for being at risk for falls. Patient One increased his lifting capacity for the deadlift by 92%, and Patient Two by 56%. Both patients were able to deadlift >70% of their one repetition maximum by the conclusion of this report.

Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the outcomes of utilizing heavy resistance training in elderly adults with hip pain in a rehabilitative setting. Both patients demonstrated clinically important improvements in pain, disability, global lower extremity strength, and function by the conclusion of six weeks duration. Further research is needed regarding the effectiveness of heavy resistance training for the treatment of elderly adults with musculoskeletal pain.