The effects of a recreational exercise program with differentiated frequency on functional capacity and daily activities patterns in older women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was, first, to evaluate the effects of a 12-week recreational exercise program on the level of physical abilities and on the level of daily activities of 55 sedentary elderly women, aged 60 to 75, and second, to examine the minimal amount of exercise needed to produce these changes. The variables used to test the functional capacity were dynamic balance, muscular endurance, sit and reach flexibility, and muscular coordination. The variables that tested the daily physical activity (ADL) were 20 of the most habitual daily movement activities among the elderly. The subjects were allocated to 3 exercise groups (n = 15 each) and 1 control group (n = 10). Exercise was performed for 1 hour, 3 times, twice, and once a week for the 3 experimental groups, respectively. The subjects were tested before and after the 12-week exercise intervention on the selected variables. The effects of the 12-week training program were significant (p < . 05) for all examined variables for the elderly who participated 3 times and/or twice a week. Specifically, the minimum practice needed for improvement of their agility/dynamic balance, strength, and muscular coordination was once a week, while the minimum amount of practice for their flexibility improvement was twice a week. Similarly, the minimum amount of practice for improvement on their daily movement activities was twice a week. It is concluded that the elderly's improvement concerning their performance on functional capacity and daily activity movement was analogous to the frequency of their implementation to the program. Findings are discussed in terms of design and measurement improvements, and the need to focus research efforts on multiple components of fitness in relation to ADL in the elderly.

Influence of school playground size and equipment on the physical activity of students during recess

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Complex motions embedded in a hand exercise regimen – effects on thumb function in participants with carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: A pilot study

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Effect of additional functional exercises on balance in elderly people

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