Effects of multicomponent training on functional fitness in older adults

• Published in: Journal of aging and physical activity Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 538
• Main Authors: Toraman, N Füsun, Erman, Alparslan, Agyar, Evren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-2004
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Aged - physiology; Aged, 80 and over; Body Composition - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Endurance - physiology; Physical Fitness - physiology; Task Performance and Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Walking - physiology
• ISSN: 1063-8652
• DOI: 10.1123/japa.12.4.538

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 9-week supervised multicomponent exercise program on functional fitness and body composition in independent older adults. Forty-two adults age 60-86 years were randomly assigned to an exercise or a control group and were evaluated before and after training. The training program consisted of 3 sessions of walking, strengthening, and flexibility exercises per week. The multicomponent training program resulted in significant (p < .005) improvements on the chair stand, arm curl, 6-min walk, and up-and-go tests. The findings of this study indicate that a 9-week training program increased upper and lower body strength, aerobic endurance, and agility/dynamic balance in older adults. The most affected components of functional fitness were lower body strength and aerobic endurance. There was no effect of the 9-week training on body composition.