Impact of low cost strength training of dorsi- and plantar flexors on balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Fernando Ribeiro (Author) Other; Fantina Teixeira (Author) Other; Gabriela Brochado (Author) Other; José Oliveira (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Geriatrics & Gerontology International

Vol. 9

Pages: 75-80

ISSN: 1444-1586

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 33 Citations

Scopus - 34 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-MSZ

DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2008.00500.x

Abstract (EN): To evaluate the effects of a low cost strength training program of the dorsi- and ankle plantar flexors on muscle strength, balance and functional mobility, in elderly institutionalized subjects; and to determine the association between strength gain and balance and/or functional mobility gain. Forty-eight volunteers were recruited and equally divided into two groups: intervention (aged 78.44 +/- 3.84 years) and control (aged 79.78 +/- 3.90 years). Both groups were tested at baseline and outcome for ankle dorsi- and plantar flexors muscle strength, balance and functional mobility. The intervention group participated in a 6-week program, three-sessions-per-week, of resisted ankle dorsi- and plantar flexion exercises using elastic bands. In the intervention group, maximal isometric dorsi- (from 8.4 +/- 0.45 to 12.6 +/- 0.95 kg; P <= 0.001) and plantar flexors strength (from 13.0 +/- 0.85 to 17.5 +/- 0.93 kg; P <= 0.001), balance (from 14.6 +/- 0.54 to 22.3 +/- 1.81 cm; P <= 0.001) and functional mobility (from 18.4 +/- 0.51 to 11.0 +/- 0.66 s; P <= 0.001) increased significantly after the 6-week strength training program. In the control group, no significant differences were detected. In the intervention group, a significant correlation between plantar flexor strength gain and balance gain was found (r = 0.826; P = 0.01). The proposed low cost strength training of dorsi- and plantar flexors improved strength, balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people; moreover, the improvement in plantar flexor strength was associated with the improvement in balance.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6