Efeito da velocidade de execução do treino resistido na aptidão física de adultos mais velhos

Abstract

The objective of this study is to verify the effect of two resistance training programs [traditional resistance training (TRT) versus power resistance training (TRP)] on physical fitness and body composition in older adults. A longitudinal study was conducted with a convenience sample of 31 participants (77.42 ± 4.94 years old; 35.5% women) who were non-randomly allocated to the TRT group (n:17) or TRP group (n:14). Body composition was assessed through bioimpedance (weight, body fat percentage, lean mass percentage), body mass index (IMC), isokinetic strength of the lower limbs, handgrip strength, power strength (medicine ball throw), and functional fitness (Senior Fitness Test and five-time sit-to-stand test) of the participants, before the program began and after 24 weeks. The training intensity was 40% to 60% in the TRP and 60% to 80% in the traditional resistance training. The execution speed for the TRP was the maximum possible speed during the concentric phase and 2 seconds during the eccentric phase, while for the TRT it was 2:2 seconds. The intra-group results showed that participants in both groups achieved significant improvements in the following parameters: time to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions, agility and dynamic balance, upper limb flexibility, upper and lower limb strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and power strength (p<0.05) between the pre- and postintervention moments. Only participants in the TRP group significantly reduced body fat and increased lean mass (p<0.05) throughout the study. However, no significant differences were observed for any of the variables in the betweengroup comparison over time (p>0.05). It can be concluded that both resistance training protocols promote improvements in the functional fitness of communitydwelling older adults, with no superiority observed for any of the protocols regarding the variables studied.