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The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training with machines and elastic tubes on functional capacity and muscular strength in older women aged 60 years or over. The participants were randomized into two groups: a machine group (n = 23) and an elastic group (n = 20). They performed 12 weeks of progressive resistance training, twice a week, with similar exercises. Outcomes were assessed at three time points: baseline, postintervention, and 8 weeks after the end of the training. A significant intragroup effect was demonstrated for both groups at postintervention on functional tests and muscle strength. For the functional reach test and elbow flexion strength (180°/s), only the machine group demonstrated significant intragroup differences. No differences were observed between groups for any outcome. At the 8-week follow-up, functional capacity outcome values were maintained. The muscle strength outcome values decreased to baseline scores, without differences between groups.

INTRODUCTION: Natural population aging is a process that brings about several physiological transformations in an individual. One of the main issues associated with the advance in age is the loss or lowering in strength that, at the same time, is related to the diminishing in the labouring capacity and independence. One of the manners to intervene in that process the resistive training (RT). RT can be made by using several types of materials, including, among others, the elastic progressive resistance (EPR) and pneumatic machines (PM). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to verify and compare the the effects of 12-week of two different types of RT (PD and EPR), in muscle strength, balance and functional capacity of untrained elderly women. METHODS: 54 women were randomly allocated in 2 groups of 27 individuals each: The Elastic Resistance Training Group (ERTG; n=27; age=67.55 + 5.20 years) and the Machine Training Group (MTG; n=27; age=69.34 + 5.37 years). The ERTG and the MTG participated on the training twice a week during 12 weeks with nine exercises for both groups. The isokinetic Peak Torque (PT) for knee extensors(PTKE) and elbow flexors(PTEF) at the speed of 60 º/s and 180 º/s , Handgrip Strength (HS), the 30' chair sit to stand(CST), the 30` arm curl test(ACT), the 8-foot up & go agility test and the Functional Reach Test(FRT) were the dependent variable measures in the moments of pre and post intervention. All evaluations were performed before and after the intervention period. We used descriptive statistics and verified the data normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test. To compare the dependent variables between groups and between pre-and post-intervention a mixed model 2X2 of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t tests and independent, Wilcoxon and U-Mann-Whitney was used. The calculations were performed using SPSS for a p≤0,05 significance index RESULTS: Both types of training promoted statistically significant increase (p <0.