An eight months multicomponent training effect in elderly’s functional fitness

• Main Author: Monteiro, A.M.
• Publication Date: 2019
• Other Authors: Alves, Emília, Forte, Pedro
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/19168
• topic: Multicomponent Training; Functional fitness

Elderly’s physical activity and exercise is a huge concern in fitness instruction to delay physical frailty (Jones & Rikli, 2002). The multicomponent training helps to improve the physical condition in different variables such as strength, resistance, flexibility and balance (Carvalho et al., 2009). Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of an eight months multicomponent training program in functional fitness of community-living elderlies. Forty-nine 64.39 (± 6.33) year old elderlies took part of this research, 11 males who were 67.45 (± 4.93) and 38 females who were 63.50 (± 7.47) years old. All procedures were in accordance to the Declaration of Helsinki and a written consent was obtained from the participants. The multicomponent training program was applied with the Carvalho et al, (2009) recommendations. It was a 8 months program and the training frequency was three times per week. The elderly’s functional fitness was assessed with the functional fitness test (FFT) of Jones & Rikli, (2002). The T-test allowed to assess the differences between the pre and post training program in the body composition. The tests were performed with a significant level of 5%. The multicomponent training program improved significantly the elderly’s functional fitness in upper and lower limbs strength. The other variables didn’t present significant improvements with the multicomponent training program, however, it is worth noting that everyone improved their scores. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the multicomponent training program may improve and/or preserve elderlies’ functional fitness.