Does resistance training improve body image satisfaction among the elderly? A cross-sectional study

Roberta Luksevicius Rica,Eliane Florencio Gama,Alexandre Fernandes Machado,Angélica Castilho Alonso,Alexandre L Evangelista,Aylton Figueira-Junior,Marcelo Zanetti,Regina Brandão,Maria Luiza De Jesus Miranda,José Vilaça Alves,Marco Bergamin,Danilo Sales Bocalini

doi:10.6061/clinics/2018/e290

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:This study aims to evaluate whether body image satisfaction improves with practice in resistance training in elderly women.METHODS:Forty women were selected and randomly divided into an untrained group (UN) group and a group trained in resistance exercises (RT). To evaluate body image satisfaction, the silhouette matching task was used.RESULTS:No differences were found between current (5.45±0.24) and ideal (4.7±0.12) silhouettes in the RT group. However, the UN group showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between current (10.4±0.43) and ideal (5.6±0.26) silhouettes. The current silhouette was significantly different between the UN and RT groups (p<0.002). However, the ideal silhouette value did not differ between them. Body satisfaction was present in 90% of the participants in the RT group, and the difference was 15% less than that in the UN group (x2 test, p<0.001).CONCLUSION:Resistance training in elderly women can promote satisfaction with their body image.

Highlights

Paul Schilder addressed the concept of body image (BI) in 1935, noting that every person has an image of him/herself that comprises biological, sociological and libidinal reality [1]
The functional strength of the lower and upper limbs measured by the chair stand test (UN: 19±3, resistance exercises (RT): 29±4; repetitions) and arm curl test (UN: 24±5, RT: 36±4; repetitions), respectively, was significantly higher in the RT group than in the untrained group (UN) group
In relation to Body mass index (BMI) (Figure 1A), no significant differences were found between the CS (5.45±0.24) and ideal silhouettes (IS) (4.7±0.12) in the RT group

Summary

Introduction

Paul Schilder addressed the concept of body image (BI) in 1935, noting that every person has an image of him/herself that comprises biological, sociological and libidinal reality [1]. This portrait is how we see our bodies, including information arising from touch, smell, nerves, muscles, viscera and thermal and pain sensations. Body schema is the representation of different body segments in space, which is essential to guide movement, and it is unconscious. The relationship between body image satisfaction and aging remains unclear [4]. It is important to identify interventions that can improve BI in elderly people

Methods

Results

Conclusion