Strength training has traditionally been associated with younger adults, yet its value for maintaining independence and preventing falls in later life is increasingly recognised. Against this backdrop, Aïda Cadellans, lecturer and researcher in the Department of Physiotherapy at UIC Barcelona, led a randomised clinical trial assessing the impact of several strength-training approaches in active older adults.

The study, “Effectiveness of Iso-Inertial Resistance Training on Muscle Power in Middle-Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial”, was published in JMIR Aging, a journal specialising in geriatrics and gerontology. The research team also included David Blanco, Daniel Romero, Víctor Zárate, Flora Dantony, Marc Madruga and Silvia Ortega, all lecturers and researchers in the Department of Physiotherapy.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Espai Esport Wellness Center in Granollers and compared two types of training over six weeks: conventional weight training and iso-inertial or flywheel training, a technology that places particular emphasis on the braking phase of each movement. Participants, aged between 57 and 70 years (average age 63.5), completed two weekly sessions of functional exercises that reflect common daily movements.

The findings show that iso-inertial training leads to a significant improvement in muscle power, especially in braking actions. Both conventional weight training and flywheel-based training also produced notable gains in physical performance and helped reduce fall risk.

According to Aïda Cadellans, “The results show that even people who are already active can achieve meaningful improvements in muscle power within a relatively short period of only six weeks”.

This is the first study conducted in Spain to apply iso-inertial technology, typically used in elite sport, to adults over 57 years old. The researchers also highlight the social value of promoting strength training among this group: “Encouraging this type of initiative helps to break down cultural barriers, support participation in innovative health programmes and promote active ageing. It also encourages multigenerational inclusivity by creating spaces where people of different ages share experiences and healthy habits.”

The results support the integration of this form of training into health-promotion and fall-prevention programmes designed for older adults.