No abstract

The aim of this study was to test the effects of chair-based exercise programs on salivary stress hormones, physical fitness and functional autonomy of institutionalized older women. Methods: A total of 47 participants (80 ± 8.04 years old) were recruited and allocated into three groups: chair based aerobic exercises (CAE, n = 19), chair-based elasticband strength exercises (CSE, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 13). A 14-week exercise intervention was done for the CAE and CSE, two times per week, in no consecutive days.The CG did not participate in any type of exercise but kept their regular lifestyle. Fear of falling, autonomy, physical fitness, salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: CAE improved upper and lower body strength, agility-dynamic balance and autonomy with fear of falling decreasing significantly (p <.05, moderate effect size). Both exercise groups showed a trend towards an increase in salivary alpha-amylase levels (CAE = 43%, d = .31 and CSE = 44%, d = .41). Conclusion: Both exercise programs were able to improve functional autonomy, even in elders over 80 years of age. However, it might be interesting to investigate the effectiveness of combining both aerobic and strength exercises in a unique protocol. The modulation effect of exercise in the hormonal responses needs to be further explored.

The study suggests that hydrocinesiotherapy was effective as an alternative therapy for fibromyalgia, however further studies are recommended to test the associations between the variables and intervention programs and using the water activities, and the modifiability of the parameters of physical and mental health when these individuals undergo programs of short, medium and long duration.