INTRODUCTION: The maintenance of the generating capacity of muscle power is an important factor for physical and functional independence of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the influence of the training of muscular power (PTCRV) in old women during pre-determined motor chores. METHODS: 58 sedentary physically independent volunteers, divided in two groups: 31 belonged to the intervention group (GI) 68.7±5.2 years and 27 to the control group (GC) 67.7±3.8 years. The GI was subjected to a 24-section program, three times a week, of counter-resistance training in speed. Power (PT) and speed (VL) in the exercise were assessed: knee extension (EJ), and in the stand-up-from-a-chair test (LC), using the software Tendo Weighlifting Analyzer (TWA). The time of execution of motor chores was also evaluated: gait in comfortable speed (MVC), and gait in maximum speed (MVM). The variation t test was applied to compare the studied variables and a level of significance p=0.05 was admitted. RESULTS: It was observed in the GI, for the EJ exercise, a significant gain in the ability of power generation (370.71±106.26w / 434.52±107.15w, p=0.02185). In the LC test there was significant gain in the ability of power generation (370.71±106.26w / 434.52±107,15w, p=0.02185) and speed (0.61±0.14m/s / 0.72±0.14m/s, p=0.00274). In the motor tests MVC and MVM, there was significant gain in speed (4.56±0.63s / 4.20±0.50s, p=0.01560) and (3.45±0.40s / 3.23±0.34s, p=0.02222), respectively. No significant improvement in the GC was observed after application of the tests. CONCLUSION: The PTCRV contributed to improve the muscular power, as well as improving the performance in the motor chores in the studied group.
Aging; Exercise; Motor Activity; Functional Ability
