Exercise Type And Intensity In Older Women: Preliminary Results Of Community-based Interventions On Functional Capacity

Abstract

Exercise type and intensity in older women: Preliminary results of community-based interventions on functional capacity Gabriel de Souza Zanini, Vanessa Teixeira do Amaral, Gabriel Falcão, Emmanuel Gomes Ciolac São Paulo State University - UNESP, School of Sciences, Physical Education Department, Exercise and Chronic Disease Research Laboratory PURPOSE: To assess the effect of different community-based exercise interventions on functional capacity in older women. METHODS: 80 sedentary or insufficiently active older women (69.2 ± 7.9) were randomly assigned to perform a twice-weekly community-based moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training plus resistance training (MICT+RT)(N=28), high-intensity interval training plus resistance training (HIIT+RT)(N=24) or resistance training (RT)(N=28) programs. ,. Anthropometric (weight, height and BMI) and functional capacity (seat-and-reach, handgrip, sit-up, timed up-and-go (TUG), and 6-minute walking (6MW) tests) were assessed before and after 12 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Weight, BMI and seat-and-reach did not change significantly during follow-up in any group. Handgrip strength improved (P < 0.05) after MICT+RT and RT, but not after HIIT+RT. Sit-up, TUG and 6MW performance improved (P < 0.05) similarly between groups during follow-up (Table 1).Table 1: Functional capacity before and after follow-up.CONCLUSION: The present preliminary results suggest that community-based exercise programs are effective to improve functional capacity in older women, independent of their type and intensity. Table 1 Functional capacity before and after follow-up. MICT+RT: moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training plus resistance training group; HIIT+RT: high-intensity interval training plus resistance training group; RT: resistance training group; TUG: Timed up-and-go test; 6MW: six minute walking test; * P < 0.05.