INTRODUCTION: The strength training has been efficient in elderly women, however its relationship with the self-perception of health is not yet clear in the literature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of a training program with weights on muscle strength and the self-perception of health in elderly women in the city of Jequié-BA. METHODOLOGY: The sample was composed of 17 elderly women with a mean age of 68.76±5.95 years. The muscle strength was evaluated by the estimating test of maximum repetition (1MR). The training was performed in two weekly sessions, composed of two sets of 10 MR for each exercise, with intensity ranging from 50% to 70% of 1MR and duration of eight weeks. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, paired Student t-test and Chi-square non-parametric test with a significance level of p <0.05. RESULTS: The muscle strength increased significantly (p <0.05), there was also an increase in the proportion of elderly women people who reported positive self-perception of health, however there was no statistically significant difference after the training. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the strength training method promoted significant answers on the increase in muscle strength and positive changes on self-perception of health in elderly women.
Resistance Training; Aging; Health of the Elderly; Health Status; Jequié-BA
