Efeito dos treinamentos concorrente e de força nas variáveis de equilíbrio e força de idosas

Abstract

Aging leads to muscular strength and balance decrease that together result in higher chance of falls and fractures among the elderly. Because physical exercise can contribute positively to improve such capacities, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a training program including concurrent training (CT) and strength training (ST) exercises alone on potential benefits in balance and strength of elderly women. Thirty two elderly women (21 physically active and 11 inactive) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: concurrent training (CT - n=10) and strength training (ST - n=11) and control group (CG - n=11) during a 10-week intervention program. The ST protocol resulted in aerobic improvements (p<0.001), static (lumbar and lower limbs; p<0.001) and dynamic strength (p<0.001) besides an improvement in dynamic balance (p<0.001), however improvements were not observed in static balance. In the CT group we observed improvements in aerobic conditioning (p=0.002) dynamic (p<0.001) and static strength (only lower limbs; p=0.009) and static (p=0.002) and dynamic (p<0.001) balance. Except for the dynamic balance in the ST group and static balance for both groups, all capacities were improved compared to control group. We could not observe differences between the intervention groups. Our results suggest that in elderly women CT was better to improve balance, as it resulted in static and dynamic improvements, while ST presented better results for static (lumbar and lower limbs) and dynamic strength.