NEUROmuscular Training for Enhanced AGE Longevity

The project presented here will consist of two stages: (i) Stage 1 "Validation studies": They consist in the development of validation of perceptual tools for pre-exercise quantification of the intensity of the training protocols with different training materials and methodologies; The research in this first stage will take the form of a descriptive cross-sectional perceptual estimation studies. Therefore, this first stage of research will be performed prior to the application of the chronic studies, and they will focus on validating resources for the proper control of intensity during the application of resistance training in elderly individuals by using measures of pre-exercise perceived exertion. If these concepts are validated, the researchers could state that will have created easily applicable and universal tools that will help to extend the appropriate use resistance training in older adults with highly accessible materials and conditions that can be applied internationally. (ii) Stage 2 "Chronic studies": They consist in the development of different intervention protocols to analyze the chronic effects of different regime of methodologies, materials, and food supplementation. The research project presented here will continue in these second stages with prospective experimental studies of randomized intervention with older adults with pre-, and post-treatment measurements. The study population will be older adults belonging to a convenience sample who will participate voluntarily. The study at this stage will consist of carrying out different intervention protocols over a period of 12-16 weeks. All the training programs of the chronic studies will start with familiarization sessions. During the first familiarization sessions, participants will be instructed on how to obtain the measure of the perceived exertion scale appropriate to the exercise intensity to be developed and also how to correctly perform the exercises of the training program. As for the training plan, in the different experimental groups, participants will complete a list of exercises prescribed by the technicians, which will be repeated in each session throughout the training plan. Participants assigned to the sedentary control groups will be asked to continue with their normal diet and activities during the weeks of the study and will be prohibited from participating in any physical activity program or weight loss plan. In contrast, the experimental groups will perform a strength training program with the modality-specific method developed and with the type of material and/or dietary supplement that corresponds to them according to the experimental design at a frequency of 2-3 days per week for 12-16 weeks. The standard exercise session will have a protocolized structure with a warm-up, a main exercise part and a cool-down.