Efficacy of a 6-week suspension training exercise program on fitness components in older adults

Key Points

1. Physical therapists can include suspension training as an alternative mode of exercise.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Suspension training has become a popular form of exercise that can improve strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability (1). Many perceive suspension training to be less intimidating than free weights and/or even machine weights and thus, can provide psychological ease for those intimidated by weights (1). This is critical particularly among older adults who verbalize lack of confidence and self-consciousness as barriers to participating in physical activity (2).

Furthermore, suspension training has been found to increase balance confidence and fear of falling among older adults (3). Therefore, suspension training may be a form of exercise that can help older adults become more active. However, research on its effectiveness among older adults is limited (3).

The objective of this study was to identify the efficacy of a 6-week suspension training exercise program on older adults’ fitness.

Suspension training has become a popular form of exercise that can improve strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability.

Suspension training has the potential to address strength and balance-related impairments among older adults, particularly if they have limitations in their functional reach.

METHODS

Participants:

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