Abstract
Introduction: Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have suggested that physical activity programs combining low impact exercises and resistance exercises help maintaining functional capacity in older adults.Objective: To analyze the effects of an aquatic training program involving both impact and explosive exercises on gait parameters of women aged 60 and above.Materials and methods: 60 physically active women (64.08±3.98 years) were divided into 2 groups: those training in a pool by performing series of jumps, i.e., the experimental group (EG= 35), and the control group (CG=35). EG participants trained 3 times per week during 32 weeks in an hour per session basis. Body composition measurements, explosive strength, and gait parameters (in a 6 meters long track) were assessed using the center of pressure (COP) indicator before and after participating in the training program.Results: When comparing both groups, differences in explosive strength and power (EG vs. CG; p values=from 0.05 to 001) were observed, as well as changes in gait parameters related to the COP (EG vs. CG: p = 0.05-001), in particular EG participants had significant and positive changes.Conclusion: The aquatic training program described here produced an increase in muscle strength and muscle power, thus gait parameters were improved. Bearing this in mind, an improved availability of similar programs for older adults should be considered, since their participation in these programs could help them improve their functional capacity, and, thus, their quality of life.
Highlights
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have suggested that physical activity programs combining low impact exercises and resistance exercises help maintaining functional capacity in older adults.Introducción
Se evaluó la composición corporal, la fuerza explosiva y los parámetros de la marcha sobre 6m de recorrido usando el centro de presión (COP) antes y después de participar en el programa. When comparing both groups, differences in explosive strength and power (EG vs. control group (CG); p values=from 0.05 to 001) were observed, as well as changes in gait parameters related to the center of pressure (COP) (EG vs. CG: p = 0.05-001), in particular experimental group (EG) participants had significant and positive changes
The aquatic training program described here produced an increase in muscle strength and muscle power, gait parameters were improved
Summary
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have suggested that physical activity programs combining low impact exercises and resistance exercises help maintaining functional capacity in older adults.Introducción. Some authors have proposed impact and explosive movements as a valuable alternative for improving different expressions of strength that causes differentiated results in relation to gait performance in people aged 60 or over. These studies emphasize on three sets of contents that affect the walking and/or speed phases, such as the use of jumps or bounces combined with high and low intensity workouts with respect to body weight [13,14], isokinetic devices that allow controlling the speed applied at a preselected angle [15], as well as with multistation machines whose designs allow controlling the execution technique, the mobilized load and the range of articular mobility. The speed of movement in the gait cycle allows observing functional deterioration, it cannot fully explain the multiple causal factors that may alter gait in older adults, where changes in the quantity and quality of lean muscle mass, expressions of tension in lower limbs such as explosive force and maximum isometric force, the deterioration of agonist/antagonist coordination processes involved in each movement, among other factors, affect the cognitive, nervous and muscular control of movement. [23,24]
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