Abstract
The process of aging results in several changes in the organisms, thus, is necessary to search for ways to mitigate the negative effects of this involution process, for this, knowing that the strength improvement represents a greater availability for everyday activities, this study searched at strength training, evidence of possible improvements in variables related to elderly autonomy. Before and after 12 weeks of training, we performed a pre and post-assessment respectively, in which were measured anthropometric variables as body weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, waist-hip ratio and fat. We also performed a strength test with hand-held and lower-limb dynamometers, besides functional capacity tests as climbing stairs and self-perception performance in activities of daily living. The sample consisted of 12 elderly females without any type of strength training. The results showed a significant improvement in strength and functional capacity, there was also significant reduction of fat, and increase of lean body mass. Concluding, elderly people can enjoy the benefits provided by strength training, especially in autonomy perspective.
Highlights
The elderly people represent a group of major global significance, since with the increase in life expectancy there was a population growth
Even controlling the training variables, this study presents as limitation the lack of control over other variables that could influence the autonomy of the elderly individuals, such as nutrition, commitment degree of chronic disease, and social background, among others
The study evidenced that 12 weeks of strength training with professional supervision were sufficient to affect variables of body and function in elderly people
Summary
The elderly people represent a group of major global significance, since with the increase in life expectancy there was a population growth. According to Ruipérez and Llorente (2002), over the years, the number of elderly in the world will be enough to make them economically required and a concern related to the dependence derived from the aging process. An estimate of 7% of elderly in the world was expected for 2000 (VAN DER BIJ et al, 2002), with the progressive increase in this. The aging process is linked to the characteristics and the lifestyle of the individual, and among them, the sedentary habit has raised discussion in the recent years, since this behavior is largely responsible for the progressive loss of functional capacity and, the autonomy (MAZO et al, 2001).
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