Resistance Training with Instability Does Not Hamper Total Training Volume and Muscle Strength Gains in Older Adults: a Secondary Analysis from REI Study.

Background: Resistance training with instability (REI) emerged as a promising training modality for older adults aiming to counteract age-related changes. Objectives: We compared the effects of 12 weeks of REI and traditional resistance exercise (RE) on muscle strength in older adults with cognitive impairment. We further explored if total training volume (TTV) significantly differs among training groups. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the REI study. Participants were randomly assigned to REI (n=22) or RE (n=23). RE protocol involved moderate-intensity, free-weight, and machines-based resistance exercises (3 sets, 10-15 repetitions). REI received a similar training protocol, in which exercises were simultaneously performed with instability/unstable devices (e.g., squat exercise under a foam pad or Bosu Results: No differences were observed between groups ( Conclusion: We demonstrated that both REI and RE training induced similar gains in muscle strength. Combining unstable surfaces/instability devices did not hamper TTV, which may have clinical applications in the context of exercise for older adults.