Effects of a group-based exercise program on muscle strength and postural control among community-dwelling elderly women: a randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Verify if a group-based low intensity exercise training program could significantly improve physical variables related to muscle strength and postural control among community-dwelling elderly women. METHODS: This study was a non-blinded randomized-controlled trial. Thirty-seven women were allocated according a computer generated randomization list in two groups: Control (n=18; mean age 68.9(5.7)) and Exercise (n=19; mean age 67.8(4.9)). Main outcome measures were body sway during quiet stance, and knee and ankle isometric peak torque and isokinetic peak torque, power and time acceleration. Exercise group performed a group-based training program on two days per week for 12 weeks. Each training session consisted of stretching exercises, ankle and knee muscle strengthening and balance training. Control group did not undergo any training. RESULTS: Control group did not present significant differences for variables analyzed. Effect size to peak torque and power for non-dominant knee flexors at 60º/s (0.85 and 0.8, respectively), peak torque and power for non-dominant knee flexors and time acceleration for non-dominant knee extensors at 120º/s (0.8, -0.9 and 1.19, respectively) may be considered large after training. CONCLUSION: Low-intensity group-based exercise training program may be effective to improve knee isometric peak torque and knee and ankle isokinetic peak torque, power and time acceleration. Trial registration: ACTRN12610000042044.