Strength training has the potential to mitigate, or in some cases reverse, age related loss of neuromuscular function. This project aims to examine the well documented decline in muscle strength with increasing age, and to differentiate true age-related physiological processes from those related to the inactivity that often occurs simultaneously with old age. Furthermore, we seek to evaluate the effects of heavy strength training in older adults on skeletal muscle function and the nervous system, and how this may be relevant as clinical interventions to ensure an independent and healthy life at old age.
The project includes several intervention studies and cross-sectional comparisons of trained and untrained older adults to healthy young.
Publications
- Tøien, T., Nielsen, J. L., Berg, O. K., Brobakken, M. F., Nyberg, S. K., Espedal, L., Malmo, T., Frandsen, U., Aagaard, P., & Wang, E. (2023). The impact of life-long strength versus endurance training on muscle fiber morphology and phenotype composition in older men. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 135(6), 1360–1371. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00208.2023
- Tøien, T., Unhjem, R., Berg, O. K., Aagaard, P., & Wang, E. (2023). Strength versus endurance trained master athletes: Contrasting neurophysiological adaptations. Experimental gerontology, 171, 112038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2022.112038
- Stunes, A. K., Brobakken, C. L., Sujan, M. A. J., Aagård, N., Brevig, M. S., Wang, E., Syversen, U., & Mosti, M. P. (2022). Acute Effects of Strength and Endurance Training on Bone Turnover Markers in Young Adults and Elderly Men. Frontiers in endocrinology, 13, 915241. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.915241
- Tøien, T., Malmo, T., Espedal, L., & Wang, E. (2022). Maximal intended velocity enhances strength training-induced neuromuscular stimulation in older adults. European journal of applied physiology, 122(12), 2627–2636. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05045-8
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Berg, O. K., Stutzer, J. M., Hoff, J., & Wang, E. (2021). Early Maximal Strength Training Improves Leg Strength and Postural Stability in Elderly Following Hip Fracture Surgery. Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation, 12, 21514593211015103. https://doi.org/10.1177/21514593211015103
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Kittilsen, H. T., Goleva-Fjellet, S., Freberg, B. I., Nicolaisen, I., Støa, E. M., Bratland-Sanda, S., Helgerud, J., Wang, E., Sæbø, M., & Støren, Ø. (2021). Responses to Maximal Strength Training in Different Age and Gender Groups. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 636972. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.636972
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Unhjem, R., Tøien, T., Kvellestad, A. C. G., Øren, T. S., & Wang, E. (2021). External Resistance Is Imperative for Training-Induced Efferent Neural Drive Enhancement in Older Adults. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 76(2), 224–232. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa160
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Helgerud, J., Thomsen, S. N., Hoff, J., Strandbråten, A., Leivseth, G., Unhjem, R., & Wang, E. (2020). Maximal strength training in patients with Parkinson's disease: impact on efferent neural drive, force-generating capacity, and functional performance. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 129(4), 683–690. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00208.2020
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Berg, O. K., Kwon, O. S., Hureau, T. J., Clifton, H. L., Thurston, T. S., Le Fur, Y., Jeong, E. K., Trinity, J. D., Richardson, R. S., Wang, E., & Layec, G. (2020). Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Adaptations to Maximal Strength Training in Older Adults. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 75(12), 2269–2277. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa082
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Berg, O. K., Kwon, O. S., Hureau, T. J., Clifton, H. L., Thurston, T., Le Fur, Y., Jeong, E. K., Amann, M., Richardson, R. S., Trinity, J. D., Wang, E., & Layec, G. (2018). Maximal strength training increases muscle force generating capacity and the anaerobic ATP synthesis flux without altering the cost of contraction in elderly. Experimental gerontology, 111, 154–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2018.07.013