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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: Over the last decades the world elderly population has increased exponentially: from 2000 to 2050 people over 60 will double and those over 80 will quadruple. Loss of independence occurs as people age and is due to mobility restrictions, frailty, decreased functional fitness and cognitive abilities. Evidence has shown that appropriate programs and policies can keep older adults healthier and independent over time. This study aimed to determine the effects of a 6-week exercise program on body composition and functional fitness on a group of community-dwelling adults aged 80 years and older. Method: 11 subjects (five male and six female), aged from80-90 years, were selected from two community centers in Lisbon. Body composition and functional fitness were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Subjects performed aerobic, resistance, proprioceptive and flexibility exercises three times a week (once presential and twice home-based) for six weeks. The outcome variables were body composition (weight, BMI, abdominal, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat and body lean percentage), functional fitness (aerobic capacity, agility and upper and lower-body strength, flexibility and grip strength). Results: There were significant changes in waist circumference (p = 0,029), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0,041), body fat percentage (p = 0,026) and body lean percentage (p = 0,021). No significant changes were found in the other parameters assessed, although individual analysis of results shows improvement for most of the participants. Conclusion: Results of this preliminary study suggest that a 6-week exercise program may enhance body composition in the elderly aged 80 years and older. Functional fitness parameters may need a more prolonged program consisting of two presential sessions in order to enhance adherence and results, despite increments for most of the participants, in order to achieve a statistical significance.
Description
Keywords
Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Elderly Functional capacity Functional fitness Exercise program Body composition
Citation
Paixão R, Lopes P, Tomás MT. Benefits of an exercise program for the elderly aged 80 years and older: a preliminary study. In: 8th International Conference on Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle Wasting, Paris, December, 2015. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2015;6(4):486-7.
Publisher
Wiley