OBJECTIVE: To assess aerobic endurance and lower limbs strength of non-practitioners and practitioners of a recreational gymnastics program at an adult daycare center. METHODS: 54 volunteers participated of the study - 26 non- practitioners (71.2 ± 6 years and 26 ± 4.7 kg/m²) and 28 practitioners of recreational gymnastics (68.6 ± 7.7 years and 27.5 ± 4.5 kg/m²). All were tested with the sit-up chair test (assessment of lower limbs strength) and six-minute walk test (assessment of aerobic endurance). RESULTS: The practitioners of the gymnastics program obtained better results in sit-up chair test (16.1 ± 2.8 vs. 12.1 ± 2.7 executions - p <0.001) and six-minute walk test (439.2 ± 46.1 vs. 373.1 ± 58.5 meters - p <0.001) than non- practitioners. CONCLUSION: According to the results, we conclude that the elderly practitioners of recreational gymnastics program at an adult daycare center analyzed has a better indicator of aerobic endurance and lower limbs strength, suggesting a higher level of functional capacity in relation to the non-practitioners.
Aged; Physical fitness; Physical endurance; Muscle strength
