Effects of lunges inserted in walking (eccentric walking) on lower limb muscle strength, physical and cognitive function of regular walkers

Yoshihiro Katsura; Noriko Takeda; Takayuki Inami; Shota Yamaguchi; Sho Takahashi; Masatoshi Nakamura; Kazunori Nosaka

doi:10.1007/s00421-024-05453-y

Effects of lunges inserted in walking (eccentric walking) on lower limb muscle strength, physical and cognitive function of regular walkers

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2024 Mar 11. doi: 10.1007/s00421-024-05453-y. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yoshihiro Katsura¹, Noriko Takeda², Takayuki Inami³, Shota Yamaguchi³, Sho Takahashi⁴, Masatoshi Nakamura⁵, Kazunori Nosaka⁶

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Promotion of Higher Education, Kogakuin University, 2665-1 Nakano, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0015, Japan. katsura@cc.kogakuin.ac.jp.
² Centre for Promotion of Higher Education, Kogakuin University, 2665-1 Nakano, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0015, Japan.
³ Institute of Physical Education, Keio University, 4-1-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 223-8521, Japan.
⁴ Sports Science, Daito Bunka University, 1-9-1, Takashimadaira, Itabashi, Tokyo, 175-8571, Japan.
⁵ Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nishi Kyushu University, 4490-9, Kanzaki, Saga, 842-8585, Japan.
⁶ Centre for Human Performance, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.

PMID: 38467835
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05453-y

Abstract

Introduction: Walking is a popular exercise but does not increase lower limb muscle strength and balance. We hypothesized that muscle strength, physical and cognitive function would be improved by inserting lunges in conventional walking.

Methods: Eleven regular walkers (54-88 years) who had more than 5000 steps in exercise walking a day at least 5 days a week participated in this study. They walked as usual for the first 4 weeks and included lunges and descending stairs or slope walking (i.e., eccentric walking) for the next 8 weeks. The steps of eccentric walking were gradually increased from 100 to 1000 steps per week over 8 weeks.

Results: The average steps per day were 10,535 ± 3516 in the first 4 weeks, and 10,118 ± 3199 in the eccentric walking period without a significant difference. No significant changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque of the knee extensors (MVC), 30-s chair stand (CS), 2-min step, balance assessed by center of pressure movement area with eyes close, sit and reach, a digit symbol substitution test (DSST) for cognitive function were observed in the first 4 weeks. However, significant (P < 0.05) improvements were evident in MVC (18.6 ± 15.7%), CS (24.2 ± 17.3%), balance ( - 45.3 ± 34.5%), and DSST (20.8 ± 16.7%) from weeks 4 to 12. Serum complement component 1q concentration decreased (P < 0.05) from weeks 4 to 12, although no changes in serum glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations were observed.

Conclusion: These results supported the hypothesis, and suggest that eccentric walking provides effects that are not achieved by conventional walking.

Keywords: Digit symbol substitution test; Eccentric muscle contraction; Maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength; Serum complement component 1q concentration; Static balance.