Distinct Types Of Physical Exercise On Functional Autonomy, Quality Of Life And Elderly Fitness

Abstract

The aging process is associated with physiological changes that cause progressive declines in biological function, imposing a potential threat to the functional capacity. This condition impairs elderly independence, primarily when it is associated with chronic diseases or locomotive disorders. On the other hand, the physical exercise can mitigate some of those effects PURPOSE: the study aimed to analyze the effects of three different training programs (strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic) on functional autonomy, quality of life, and elderly physical fitness index. METHODS: After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the sample consisted of 133 individuals, randomly divided into four groups: muscle strength group (MSG=31) muscular endurance group (MEG=32) aerobic group (AG=35) and a control group (CG=35). Initially, the sample groups were submitted to the following procedures: functional autonomy (GDELAN protocol), quality of life (WHOQUOL-OLD), and elderly physical fitness index (1600m walking test, left leg calf circumference and lean mass for body composition assessment, elbow flexion, and extension test, sit and stand-up test, range of motion evaluation through the Normalflex). RESULTS: After four months of training, there was a significant difference (p<0.0001) between the CG and all other experimental groups for functional autonomy. For quality of life, there was a significant difference in the post-test phase between the CG and the experimental groups in the domain 1 (AG: p=0.001; MSG: p<0.0001; MEG: p= 0.001) and domain 6 (MSG: p=0.011), the results being favorable to those three groups. In the pretest phase, there was no significant difference between the groups. For the elderly physical fitness index there was a significant difference in the post-test phase between the CG and the experimental groups, in the VO2max (AG: p<0.0001 and MEG: p<0.0001), range of motion (AG: p<0.0001; MSG: p<0.0001; MEG: p<0.0001) and muscle endurance (AG: p=0.025), the results being favorable for those three groups. In the pretest, there was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The strength group presented a higher rate of functional autonomy improvement (∆% -22.5876, p<0.0001), quality of life (∆% 11.96531, p<0 .0001) and elderly physical fitness index (∆% 11.0992, p<0.0001).