Abstract
Introduction:
The growing rate of elderly people in the world can became a public health problem when they exhibit insufficient levels of physical activity, which can increase chronic pain and lead to functional disability.
Objective:
To analyze the effects of functional training on pain and functional capacity in elderly women.
Methods:
A non-randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with 32 elderly women, divided into two groups: functional training (FT: n = 17) and control group (CG: n = 15). Functional capacity was analyzed using the Physical Fitness Test for the Elderly. Pain was assessed by reports of musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms and their characteristics using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire and pain visual analog scale (VAS). The functional training program was applied for 12 weeks at a frequency of three times a week.
Results:
Significant effects after the intervention in the FT group were observed, with pain reduction, increased flexibility and resistance for lower limbs, and cardiorespiratory capacity (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The functional training program in elderly women was effective in improving the variables of lower limb flexibility, pain perception, lower limb strength resistance and cardiorespiratory capacity.
Keywords:
Aged; Circuit-based exercise; Pain; Physical fitness
Resumo
Introdução:
O crescimento da taxa de idosos no mundo pode tornar-se um problema de saúde pública quando estes exibem níveis insuficientes de atividade física, que têm o potencial de aumentar dores crônicas e causar incapacidade funcional.
Objetivo:
Analisar os efeitos do treinamento funcional na dor e capacidade funcional de mulheres idosas.
Métodos:
Desenvolveu-se um ensaio clínico controlado não randomizado com 32 idosas, divididas em dois grupos: treino funcional (TF: n = 17) e grupo controle (GC: n = 15). Como indicador da capacidade funcional foi utilizado o Teste de Aptidão Física para Idosos. A dor foi avaliada pelos relatos de sintomas de desconforto musculoesquelético e suas características por meio do Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares de Dor e Escala visual Analógica de Dor (EVA). O programa de treinamento funcional foi aplicado por 12 semanas em uma frequên-cia de três vezes semanais.
Resultados:
Verificaram-se efeitos significativos após a intervenção no grupo TF, com redução da dor e aumento da flexibilidade e resistência para membros inferiores e capacidade cardiorrespiratória (p < 0,05).
Conclusão:
O programa de treinamento funcional em idosas foi efetivo para a melhoria das variáveis de flexibilidade de membros inferiores, percepção de dor, resistência de força de membros inferiores e capacidade cardiorrespiratória.
Palavras-chave:
Idoso; Exercícios em circuitos; Dor; Aptidão física
Introduction
The aging of the world population can be a major public health problem when situations that make the aging process worse, such as lack of healthy eating, low social interaction and reduced physical activity, increasing the incidence of diseases and chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders and functional disability.11 Perna S, Alalwan TA, Al-Thawadi S, Negro M, Parimbelli M, Cerullo G, et al. Evidence-based role of nutrients and an-tioxidants for crronic pain management in musculoesqueletal fragile and sarcopenia in aging. Geriatrics (Basel). 2020;5(1):16. DOI–33 World Health Organization. World health statistics 2017: monitoring health for the SDGs, sustainable development goals. Genebra: World Health Organization; 2017. 103 p. Full text link These situations can contribute to decreased physical function and consequently increase expenses related to health, dependence and fragility of this population.44 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018. Full text link
In addition, there is a high prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly, due to the low ability to suppress pain and greater sensitivity to it when compared to younger people.55 Lautenbacher S. Experimental approaches in the study of pain in the elderly. Pain Med. 2012;13(Suppl 2):S44-50. DOI It is not entirely clear in the literature whether this perception increases or decreases in old age, but it is known that physical inactivity and pain are major villains for the autonomy and functional capacity of this population.66 Ghazaleh T, Sedigheh RD, Zahra M. The effectiveness of positive psychotherapy on pain perception and death anxiety in the elderly. Aging Psychol. 2020;5(4):321-32. Full text link The increase in pain associated with mobility restriction promotes a deterioration in the functional capacity of the elderly, often presenting a marked loss of strength and agility.77 Lin YP, Yang YH, Hsiao SF. Physical activity, muscle strength, and functional fitness comparing older adults with and without alzheimer dementia. Top Geriatr Rehabil. 2019;35(4):280-8. DOI This process can become a vicious cycle, in which the greater the pain, the lower the functional capacity. This cycle must be interrupted or even prevented through physical exercise.88 Abdulla A, Adams N, Bone M, Elliott AM, Gaffin J, Jones D, et al. Guidance on the management of pain in older people. Age Ageing. 2013;42(Suppl 1):i1-57. DOI,99 Meisner BA, Linton V, Séguin A, Spassiani NA. Examining chronic disease, pain-related impairment, and physical activity among middle-aged and older adults in Canada implications for current and future aging populations. Top Geriatr Rehabil. 2017;33(3):182-92. DOI
Therefore, non-systematized physical activity and exercise improve quality of life, functionality, inde-pendence and psychological well-being, and reduce non-communicable chronic diseases and mortality for all elderly, fit or frail, and are more useful than pharmacological interventions. that target single systems to control fragility. When considering the accumulating evidence of the benefits of exercise in the elderly, it is unjustifiable not to prescribe physical exercise, and one of the main challenges is to integrate exercise programs as a mandatory part of the care of frail elderly patients in all hospitals, clinics and elderly care settings.1010 Izquierdo M, Merchant RA, Morley JE, Anker SD, Aprahamian I, Arai H, et al. International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines. J Nutr Health Aging. 2021;25(7):824-53. DOI
In addition, falls are the main cause of hospitalization and fatal injuries among the elderly.44 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018. Full text link Physical activity programs such as functional training (FT), which emphasize combinations of balance, strength, en-durance, gait and physical function training, are shown to be more effective in reducing the risk of injuries and fractures related to falls in the elderly.44 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018. Full text link
For these reasons, FT has become a worldwide trend for this population, being a promising resource for improving functional capacity, decreasing pain perception and promoting physical fitness.1111 Ćwirlej-Sozańska A, Wiśniowska-Szurlej A, Wilmowska-Pietruszyńska A, Drużbicki M, Sozański B, Wołoszyn N, et al. Evaluation of the effect of 16 weeks of multifactorial exercises on the functional fitness and postural stability of a lowincome elderly population. Top Geriatr Rehabil. 2018;34(4):251-61. DOI,1212 Thompson WR. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):10-8. DOI There-fore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of 12 weeks of FT on pain perception and functional capacity in elderly women.
Methods
This was a non-randomized controlled clinical trial, with elderly women who attended two parishes in the city of Ourinhos/SP in 2018. After approval by the Ethics Committee at Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP (number: 2,285,538), the project was submitted to the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry platform (ReBEC registry: RBR-9kr2jb).
Sample
Elderly women were chosen by non-probabilistic sampling. Sample size was calculated using the G*Power 3.1.9.2 program. The values found in the study by Miranda et al.1313 Miranda LV, Silva GCB, Meneses YPSF, Cortez ACL, Araújo DG, Gayoso Neto JCA. Efeitos de 9 semanas de treinamento funcional sobre índices de aptidão muscular de idosas. Rev Bras Prescr Fisiol Exerc. 2016;10(59):386-94. Full text link for strength endurance of the lower limbs (sit-to-stand test) were used as a parameter. For a test power of 0.95, effect size of 1.60 and alpha of 5%, a sample of 16 elderly women was suggested for each group: FT group and control group (CG). Considering a possible sample loss of 40%, 41 women were recruited (FT = 19; CG = 22).
As inclusion criteria, the volunteers had to be female, aged between 60 and 69 years old (meeting the criteria of the Senior Fitness Test - SFT), and present a medical referral for physical exercises and could not be practicing systematic physical activity in the last three months. The women excluded from the study were those with: loss of strength and aphasia caused by a previous cerebrovascular accident; impaired gait, using devices for ambulation (canes, crutches and wheelchair) and also using orthoses and orthopedic prostheses; more than three consecutive absences in the proposed protocol; and cognitive deficits such as problems with memory, attention, communication, impaired temporal and spatial orientations and difficulties in communication due to hearing and vision deficits.
To help with the exclusion criteria, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was applied, considering for participation: a score below 17 for the illiterate; 22 for elderly people with between one and four years of schooling; 24 for those with between five and eight years of schooling; 26 for those with nine or more years of schooling.1414 Ferruci L, Guralnik JM, Studenski S, Fried LP, Cutler Jr GB, Walston JD. Designing randomized, controlled trials aimed at preventing or delaying functional decline and disability in frail, older persons: A consensus report. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004;52(4):625-34. DOI,1515 Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsch C, Gottdiener J, et al. Frailty in older adults: evidence for a pheno-type. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(3):M146-56. DOI
According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, independent elderly women were selected for both groups, without the presence of functional disabilities or any chronic condition associated with greater vulnerability; that is, the elderly women were in good condition to carry out their activities, with adequate mental and motor health, which characterizes the condition of a robust elderly person.1616 Moraes EN. Atenção à saúde do idoso: aspectos conceituais. Brasília: Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde; 2012. 98 p. Full text link
The division of the groups was made for convenience according to the availability to practice physical exercises. Thus, the CG was composed of elderly women who did not perform any type of training.
Procedures
The women were informed about the voluntary nature of their participation in the study, the possibility of quitting the study at any time and the right to confidentiality of the individual’s data. Those who agreed to participate in the study signed an informed consent form.
Before the intervention, anamnesis questionnaires with sociodemographic information were administered to all the women in both groups, in the form of an interview by the same evaluators, who were previously trained for such procedures. In addition, functional capacity and pain variables were evaluated before and after the intervention for both groups.
Instruments
Characterization of subjects
Demographic aspects were assessed using closed-ended questions that included age (in complete years), marital status (married or in a consensual union, single, separated, widowed and did not respond), skin color (white, black, brown, yellow and indigenous). Socioeconomic aspects were investigated by schooling (in years of study) and income, defined based on the Brazil’s Economic Classification Criteria (National Association of Research Companies) which estimate the purchasing power of urban people and families.1717 ABEP. Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Pesquisa. 2016. Full text link
Functional capacity
As an indicator of functional capacity, the battery of tests STF or Physical Fitness Test for the Elderly (TAFI) was used, proposed by Rikli and Jones1818 Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Functional fitness normative scores for community residing older adults, age 60–94. J Aging Phys Act. 1999;7(2):162-81. DOI for American elderly aged 60 to 94 years and validated in Brazil by Marzo et al.,1919 Mazo GZ, Petreça DR, Sandreschi PF, Benedetti TRB. Valores normativos da aptidão física para idosas brasileiras de 60 a 69 anos de idade. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2015;21(4):318-22. DOI for the elderly public from 60 to 69 years old.
Composed of six motor tests, the STF battery assesses the level of physical fitness, which represents the level of functional capacity of the elderly, in which each item has scores above average, average, below average and risk of loss of mobility.
STF assesses the level of strength endurance of the lower limbs through the “sit-to-stand” test, in which a chair without armrests is used, leaning against the wall, and the subject remains in a sitting position, standing up fully and sitting, as many times as possible in 30 seconds.
For the strength endurance level of the upper limbs, the subject remains seated, with the arm of his choice in extension at their side, holding a 2-kg dumbbell, indicated for women. Soon after, the elbow is fully flexed and extended for 30 seconds.
To assess the level of flexibility of the lower limbs, the “sit-and-reach” test was used, which uses a chair for the subject to sit with one leg flexed and the other extended with the foot flexed. Next, with the spine erect, they are asked to flex the trunk, with the hands towards the feet, using a 45-cm ruler for measurement. Thus, the greater the distance reached with the tips of the middle fingers in relation to the feet, the greater the level of flexibility.
For upper limb flexibility, the literature,1919 Mazo GZ, Petreça DR, Sandreschi PF, Benedetti TRB. Valores normativos da aptidão física para idosas brasileiras de 60 a 69 anos de idade. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2015;21(4):318-22. DOI points to the use of the “behind-the-back reach” test, in which, the subject in the standing position, places the arm of his choice over the ipsilateral shoulder, bringing the hand towards the back. The other arm should be directed towards the back, with the hand towards the other positioned earlier. The measurement is similar to the lower limb test; that is, the greater the distance, the worse the level of flexibility is, and the greater the approximation, the better the level is.
To assess speed, agility and dynamic balance, the “sitting, walking 2.44 m and coming back and sitting” test was used. To do this, the subject sits on a chair and, upon verbal command, walks away quickly (without running) and walks the distance marked by a cone (2.44 m), goes around it, returning and sitting down again. The time for this route is marked with a stopwatch. To assess aerobic endurance, the "6-minute walking test" was used, marking a distance of 46 m, with a cone placed at every 4.57 m to facilitate the measurement of the distance covered quickly, but without running, for six minutes. Physical fitness tests in the elderly show a direct integration with everyday tasks, where the worse the physical fitness, the greater the degree of dependence of the elderly to perform activities of daily living.2020 Gonçalves LHT, Silva AH, Mazo GZ, Benedetti TRB, Santos SMA, Marques S, et al. O idoso institucionalizado: avaliação da capacidade funcional e aptidão física. Cad Saude Publica. 2010;26(9):1738-46. DOI
Pain
Pain was analyzed by reports of musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms and their characteristics (frequency, duration and severity) using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire2121 Pinheiro FA, Tróccoli BT, Carvalho CV. Validação do ques-tionário nórdico de sintomas osteomusculares como medida de morbidade. Rev Saude Publica. 2002;36(3):307-12. DOI eand the pain visual analog scale (VAS).2222 Ciena AP, Gatto R, Pacini VC, Picanço VV, Magno IMN, Loth EA. Influência da intensidade da dor sobre as respostas nas escalas unidimensionais de mensuração da dor em uma população de idosos e de adultos jovens. Semina Cienc Biol Saude. 2008;29(2):201-12. DOI
Pain intensity was also assessed by VAS, which grades pain intensity at levels from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and ten indicates the worst possible pain. If the pain is moderate, its reference level is five; if it is intense, then ten.
Functional training program (FT)
FT was applied for 12 weeks, in 36 classes, lasting 50 minutes, three times a week. Each class was structured in the following sequence: warm-up, specific part and cool-down. The application strategy selected was in a circuit, which allows it to be a dynamic class, with few pauses between changing stations (each exercise).
Warm-up: The warm-up was performed through dances with choreographies of light to moderate intensity and maximum duration of 15 minutes.
Specific part: Eight functional exercise stations were applied with a duration of one minute at each station and a rest of approximately 30 seconds, enough to change the station and adequate positioning to start the next exercise. Each participant performed two complete passes at the 8 stations of the circuit, with an interval of 2 to 3 minutes between each complete pass. The detailed exercises with their variations, objectives and intensities are presented in Chart 1
Cool-down: Ten minutes of stretching were performed, prioritizing the muscles worked, such as quadriceps, hamstrings, deltoids and dorsal, among others.
Data analyses
All numerical variables were submitted to data distribution testing using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. For descriptive statistics, categorical data were presented in absolute and relative frequency and numerical data were expressed as mean and standard deviation.
For comparisons of functional capacity and pain between pre- and post-intervention groups, analysis of variance (mixed ANOVA) was applied. To identify the magnitude of the effects, the delta percentage of the differences was calculated using the equation: [(post-measurement – pre-measurement)/pre-measurement] *100. In addition, to determine the correlation of positive and negative changes in physical capacity variables with pain alterations, Spearman's correlation was used between post-pre differences in functional capacity and pain variables. The analyses were performed in the program SPSS 26.0, using a significance of 5%.
Results
A total of 128 elderly women who attended the Santo Antônio and São João Batista Parishes in the municipality of Ourinhos/SP were approached from May to October 2018. Of these, 78 were considered elderly, according to the literature, but 37 were not included in the study (eight older than 69 years and 29 who participated in training programs). Therefore, for this study, the sample consisted of 41 women allocated to the groups FT (n = 19) and CG (= 22). During the study, two women from FT were excluded because they did not show up for the collection of data regarding the physical evaluation (application of the tests), leaving a total of 17 women.
Of the 22 women in CG, seven were excluded (one for using an endogenous prosthesis, one for performing structured exercises and five for not having time available), leaving a total of 15 women (Figure 1).
The characteristics of the sample are presented in Table 1, where similarities are observed between the groups for age, family income, race, schooling and marital status.
Table 2 presents the effects of the intervention. Significant effects are observed after the intervention in the FT, with the reduction of pain, increase in lower limb flexibility and endurance and improvement of cardiorespiratory capacity. These positive results were observed both by the statistical significance of the interaction (p < 0.05) and by the percentage deltas (Figure 2).
Mean (standard deviation) of pain and functional capacity in elderly women in both groups, pre- and post-intervention
Delta percentage of changes in the functional training group and control group after intervention.
When analyzing the magnitude of the differences through the percentage delta, which is an excellent clinical indicator, it can be observed that the lower limb flexibility, lower limb endurance and cardiorespiratory capacity showed relevant values, above 10% and reaching up to 140% improvement. Pain reduction was more than 60%, being very beneficial.
In Table 3, a consistent behavior is observed between the correlations of changes in pain and functional capacity. All abilities, regardless of their significance, showed a negative correlation with pain; however, only upper limb flexibility, agility and cardiorespiratory capacity effectively showed significant results.
Discussion
As main results, it was observed that FT in elderly women improved some indicators of functional capacity, such as upper limb flexibility, agility and cardiorespiratory capacity, which correlated with pain reduction. In addition, improvements in lower limb strength and flexibility were also observed. These findings corroborate the literature, demonstrating that multicomponent exercise programs for the elderly, such as FT, are able to provide improvements in physical performance, delay frailty and decrease inflammation, including those who are frail.2323 Sadjapong U, Yodkeeree S, Sungkarat S, Siviroj P. Multicomponent exercise program reduces frailty and inflammatory biomarkers and improves physical performance in community-dwelling older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):3760. DOI This evidence helps to explain the reduction of pain and its association with the improvement in physical capacity observed in the present study.
According to Gallagher et al.2424 Gallagher D, Heymsfield SB, Heo M, Jebb SA, Murgatroyd PR, Sakamoto Y. Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;72(3):694-701. DOI and Morcelli et al.,2525 Morcelli MH, Faganello FR, Navega MT. Avaliação da flexibilidade e dor de idosos fisicamente ativos e sedentários. Ter Man. 2010;8(38)298-304. Full text link after 65 years of age, 80% of the elderly will experience pain due to decreased functional capacities. In addition, women are more susceptible to pain, especially joint pain, due to some intrinsic factors such as loss of muscle and bone mass and hormonal decrease, characterized by menopause.2424 Gallagher D, Heymsfield SB, Heo M, Jebb SA, Murgatroyd PR, Sakamoto Y. Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;72(3):694-701. DOI,2525 Morcelli MH, Faganello FR, Navega MT. Avaliação da flexibilidade e dor de idosos fisicamente ativos e sedentários. Ter Man. 2010;8(38)298-304. Full text link In the present study, it was possible to observe that FT women exhibited a 60% reduction in pain compared to CG. In addition, in the correlation analyses, it is evident that this variable is moderately correlated in the behavior of some capacities such as cardiorespiratory capacity, flexibility and agility.
Pain is subjective, and only the individual can assess its intensity. The fact is that physical exercises and social interaction are responsible for reducing this sensation.2626 Souza JB. Poderia a atividade física induzir analgesia em pacientes com dor crônica? Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2009;15(2): 145-50. DOI Modalities such as stretching and strengthening reduce pain; however, the literature proposes aerobic exercises as the most indicated for the population that feels pain.2626 Souza JB. Poderia a atividade física induzir analgesia em pacientes com dor crônica? Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2009;15(2): 145-50. DOI In the present study, we opted for the circuit class strategy for FT, presenting a more aerobic profile, which led to a reduction in the perception of pain in the elderly. However, Laredo-Aguilera et al.,2727 Laredo-Aguilera JA, Carmona-Torres JM, García-Pinillos F, Latorre-Román PA. Effects of a 10-week functional training programme on pain, mood state, depression, and sleep in healthy older adults. Psychogeriatrics. 2018;18(4):292-8. DOI observed that healthy elderly women who underwent FT did not see significant improvements in pain, while CG worsened.
The results of the present study can be explained by the improvement of the other variables, having an impact on the reduction of pain, because Román et al.2828 Román PAL, Santos e Campos MA, García-Pinillos F. Effects of functional training on pain, leg strength, and balance in women with fibromyalgia. Mod Rheumatol. 2015;25(6):943-7. DOI demonstrated that women with fibromyalgia who underwent FT increased their general quality of life because of improvement in physical functioning, reducing the impact of the disease and pain compared to sedentary women, where medication could be reduced or eliminated completely.
Another item that influences the functional capacity of the elderly is cardiorespiratory health, as intrinsic conditions are not enough to justify the health problems that cause aging, but multiple domains of physical fitness such as strength and aerobic capacity are responsible for maintaining this function. VO2máx decreases in the elderly population, and a sedentary lifestyle aggravates this condition.2929 Forman DE, Arena R, Boxer R, Dolansky MA, Eng JJ, Fleg JL, et al. Prioritizing functional capacity as a principal end point for therapies oriented to older adults with cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135(16):e894-918. DOI In this study, both groups showed an increase in cardiorespiratory capacity, but FT individuals showed a greater magnitude of improvement (10%) compared to CG.
A systematic review showed that FT can have beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly, where it is recommended elderly for this purpose.3030 Bouaziz W, Lang PO, Schmitt E, Kaltenbach G, Geny B, Vogel T. Health benefits of multicomponent training programmes in seniors: a systematic review. Int J Clin Pract. 2016;70(7):520-36. DOI Another systematic review, however, pointed out that it is not possible to say that FT is a better alternative than other interventions to increase cardiorespiratory fitness and emphasizes the importance of new studies with greater methodological rigor.3131 Barbosa MPCR, Oliveira VC, Silva AKF, Pérez-Riera AR, Vanderlei LC. Effectiveness of functional training on cardiorespiratory parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2018;38(4):539-46. DOI
Regarding strength endurance, FT improved over 60% compared to CG. Our results are in line with those of Aragão-Santos et al.3232 Aragão-Santos JC, Resende-Neto AG, Nogueira AC, Feitosa-Neta ML, Brandão LH, Chaves LM, et al. The effects of functional and traditional strength training on different strength parameters of elderly women: a randomized and controlled trial. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019;59(3):380-6. DOI who found that FT, when compared to traditional strength training, was effective in improving maximum dynamic strength, muscle power, muscle endurance and isometric strength in the elderly. Thus, both methods can be used safely and effectively in this population. However, since it presents a series of benefits related to independence and autonomy in the elderly because of the specificity of their tasks, FT tends to be more transferable to activities of daily living, and can be associated with traditional endurance training in the long term.3232 Aragão-Santos JC, Resende-Neto AG, Nogueira AC, Feitosa-Neta ML, Brandão LH, Chaves LM, et al. The effects of functional and traditional strength training on different strength parameters of elderly women: a randomized and controlled trial. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019;59(3):380-6. DOI In addition, in a multicomponent training such as FT, improvements in physical functioning were observed in elderly women with dynapenia.3333 Romero-García M, López-Rodríguez G, Henao-Morán S, González-Unzaga M, Galván M. Effect of a multicomponent exercise program (VIVIFRAIL) on functional capacity in elderly ambulatory: a non-randomized clinical trial in Mexican women with dynapenia. J Nutr Health Aging. 2021;25(2):148-54. DOI Romero-García et al.3333 Romero-García M, López-Rodríguez G, Henao-Morán S, González-Unzaga M, Galván M. Effect of a multicomponent exercise program (VIVIFRAIL) on functional capacity in elderly ambulatory: a non-randomized clinical trial in Mexican women with dynapenia. J Nutr Health Aging. 2021;25(2):148-54. DOI reported a significant decrease in the risk of falls, which leads us to consider that this type of intervention can have a preventive effect on the development of frailty in the elderly.
It is suggested that strength training should be considered to increase muscle function and dynamic balance in older women, while FT should be considered for increasing functional capacity and improving gait, which are variables strongly related to the risk of falling.3434 Wolf R, Locks RR, Lopes PB, Bento PCB, Rodacki ALF, Carraro AN, et al. Multicomponent exercise training improves gait ability of older women rather than strength training: a randomized controlled trial. J Aging Res. 2020;2020:6345753. DOI
Regarding lower limb flexibility, an improvement of over 140% was observed in FT in relation to CG. Similarly, Matos et al.,3535 Matos DG, Mazini Filho ML, Moreira OC, Oliveira CE, Venturini GRO, Silva-Grigoletto ME, et al. Effects of eight weeks of functional training in the functional autonomy of elderly women: a pilot study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017;57(3):272-7. DOI found that FT was sufficient to produce improvements in the autonomy of elderly women and that with just 10 sessions it was possible to observe improvements in the power of the lower limbs, speed in getting up from a lying position, agility, and strength and mobility of the upper limbs. Thus, the development of lower limbs can be explained by improvements in general functionality. In addition, a core strength stability training, which was also performed in the present study, was able to promote a significant increase in functional mobility during the training period, while the CG participants did not show significant changes.3636 Granacher U, Lacroix A, Muehlbauer T, Roettger K, Gollhofer A. Effects of core instability strength training on trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility, dynamic balance and functional mobility in older adults. Gerontology. 2013;59(2):105-13. DOI According to Resende-Neto et al.,3737 Resende-Neto AG, Nascimento MA, Sá CA, Ribeiro AS, Desantana JM, Silva-Grigoletto ME. Comparison between functional and traditional resistance training on joint mobility, determinants of walking and muscle strength in older women. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019;59(10):1659-68. DOI traditional training and FT are equally effective in improving joint mobility and strength components in older women, with mainte-nance of these adaptations even after detraining.
On the other hand, in the present study, some components of physical fitness did not show improvement as a result of the proposed intervention; they are: upper limb flexibility, upper limb endurance and agility. The main reason for this would be that the exercises were not sufficient and specific to these capacities.
In relation to upper body flexibility, Kang et al.3838 Kang S, Hwang S, Klein AB, Kim SH. Multicomponent exercise for physical fitness of community-dwelling elderly women. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(3):911-5. DOI also did not observe significant changes between a multicomponent training similar to FT compared to CG, with changes only in the lower part. Regarding the exercises proposed in the present study, it is believed that they were not so specific for these variables when compared to the exercises proposed by Nogueira et al.,3939 Nogueira AC, Resende Neto AG, Santos JCA, Chaves LMS, Azevêdo LM, Teixeira CVLS, et al. Effects of a multicomponent training protocol on functional fitness and quality of life of physically active older women. Motricidade. 2017;13(S1):86-93. Full text link who did their own exercises for flexibility within the specific part of the FT.
Regarding strength/endurance, effective improve-ments were expected for both upper and lower limbs, as FT promotes improvements in these capacities, even equaling strength training for this population.3737 Resende-Neto AG, Nascimento MA, Sá CA, Ribeiro AS, Desantana JM, Silva-Grigoletto ME. Comparison between functional and traditional resistance training on joint mobility, determinants of walking and muscle strength in older women. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019;59(10):1659-68. DOI,3939 Nogueira AC, Resende Neto AG, Santos JCA, Chaves LMS, Azevêdo LM, Teixeira CVLS, et al. Effects of a multicomponent training protocol on functional fitness and quality of life of physically active older women. Motricidade. 2017;13(S1):86-93. Full text link,4040 Resende-Neto AG, Feitosa Neta ML, Santos MS, Teixeira CVLS, Sá CA, Silva-Grigoletto ME. Treinamento funcional versus treinamento de força tradicional: efeitos sobre indicadores da aptidão física em idosas pré-frageis. Motricidade. 2016;12(S2):44-53. Full text link This suggests that the protocol used in this study was not enough to also cause adaptations in the strength of the upper limbs, making it necessary to have a program with an extra strength training session focused on muscle mass that results in greater improvements in arm strength.4141 González-Ravé JM, Cuéllar-Cañadilla R, García-Pastor T, Santos-García DJ. Strength improvements of different 10-week multicomponent exercise programs in elderly women. Front Public Health. 2020;8:130. DOI Another explanation, as pointed out by Sousa Jr et al.,4242 Souza Jr SS, Guimarães ACA, Korn S, Boing L, Machado Z. Força de membros superiores e inferiores de idosas praticantes e não praticantes de ginástica funcional. Saude (Santa Maria). 2015;41(1):255-62. DOI would be that if the elderly women spend a lot of time developing manual activities, they will have more difficulty evolving in a training that does not stipulate a load.
In the present study, there were also no changes in agility, but other studies showed significant differences in agility/dynamic balance of the FT group compared to control.3535 Matos DG, Mazini Filho ML, Moreira OC, Oliveira CE, Venturini GRO, Silva-Grigoletto ME, et al. Effects of eight weeks of functional training in the functional autonomy of elderly women: a pilot study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017;57(3):272-7. DOI,3838 Kang S, Hwang S, Klein AB, Kim SH. Multicomponent exercise for physical fitness of community-dwelling elderly women. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(3):911-5. DOI–4040 Resende-Neto AG, Feitosa Neta ML, Santos MS, Teixeira CVLS, Sá CA, Silva-Grigoletto ME. Treinamento funcional versus treinamento de força tradicional: efeitos sobre indicadores da aptidão física em idosas pré-frageis. Motricidade. 2016;12(S2):44-53. Full text link Interventions that resulted improvements in agility parameters had exercises of balance together for its improvement,3535 Matos DG, Mazini Filho ML, Moreira OC, Oliveira CE, Venturini GRO, Silva-Grigoletto ME, et al. Effects of eight weeks of functional training in the functional autonomy of elderly women: a pilot study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017;57(3):272-7. DOI,3838 Kang S, Hwang S, Klein AB, Kim SH. Multicomponent exercise for physical fitness of community-dwelling elderly women. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(3):911-5. DOI which may explain the lack of improvements in agility in the present study.
It is important to highlight the indication of FT for the elderly public, being safe, low cost and easy to apply in community environments when compared to exercises such as aerobic and endurance training. FT is able to improve health-related physical fitness, producing variable stimuli and greater demands on coordination and posture, allows a progressive increase in volume, intensity and density, improves body composition and can be a public health alternative in the management of compromise in mobility and blood pressure in the elderly.44 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2018. Full text link,3535 Matos DG, Mazini Filho ML, Moreira OC, Oliveira CE, Venturini GRO, Silva-Grigoletto ME, et al. Effects of eight weeks of functional training in the functional autonomy of elderly women: a pilot study. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017;57(3):272-7. DOI–3737 Resende-Neto AG, Nascimento MA, Sá CA, Ribeiro AS, Desantana JM, Silva-Grigoletto ME. Comparison between functional and traditional resistance training on joint mobility, determinants of walking and muscle strength in older women. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019;59(10):1659-68. DOI
As the main limitations of the present study, the small sample size and the presence of only robust elderly women stand out. In addition, the investigated sample had only elderly women aged between 61 and 69 years and a 12-week intervention, which limits the practical application to periods of approximately 12 weeks of training and in elderly women in this age group.
As a recommendation for future studies, we suggest the use of a larger sample and the relationship between frail and robust elderly women, rarely seen in the literature. In addition, the use of new dynamics and exercises of FT and their comparison with other training modalities can help in the decision-making of professionals whose objective is to serve this population.
Conclusion
FT applied to elderly women for 12 weeks was effective in improving the variables of lower limb flexibility, pain perception, strength endurance and cardiorespiratory capacity. In some aspects of functional capacity there was no improvement. The literature still has scarce studies that use FT, making further studies necessary for comparing FT with other types of training.
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38Kang S, Hwang S, Klein AB, Kim SH. Multicomponent exercise for physical fitness of community-dwelling elderly women. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(3):911-5. DOI
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39Nogueira AC, Resende Neto AG, Santos JCA, Chaves LMS, Azevêdo LM, Teixeira CVLS, et al. Effects of a multicomponent training protocol on functional fitness and quality of life of physically active older women. Motricidade. 2017;13(S1):86-93. Full text link
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40Resende-Neto AG, Feitosa Neta ML, Santos MS, Teixeira CVLS, Sá CA, Silva-Grigoletto ME. Treinamento funcional versus treinamento de força tradicional: efeitos sobre indicadores da aptidão física em idosas pré-frageis. Motricidade. 2016;12(S2):44-53. Full text link
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42Souza Jr SS, Guimarães ACA, Korn S, Boing L, Machado Z. Força de membros superiores e inferiores de idosas praticantes e não praticantes de ginástica funcional. Saude (Santa Maria). 2015;41(1):255-62. DOI
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Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
09 Dec 2022 -
Date of issue
2022
History
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Received
12 Jan 2022 -
Reviewed
12 Sept 2022 -
Accepted
07 Oct 2022