Efeito de 12 semanas de treinamento de dança aeróbia e step sobre a aptidão funcional de idosas

Abstract

Aging is a process that causes changes and wears out some of the functional systems of the body. These changes are irreversible and progressive. Individuals that show an active adulthood and old age can minimize the loss of physiological function. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of 12 weeks of resistance training and aerobic dance step on the functional fitness of elderly women. Study participants (n=12) had a mean age of 72.1 (SD: 4.5), previously inactive. Functional fitness was assessed by the following testes: 6 minute-walk, Chair Sit-and-Reach, 30 second Chair Stand, Arm Curl, 8 Foot Up-and-Go and the body mass índex (BMI). All analysis were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 18.0) for Windows. The normal distribution of data was assessed by Shapiro Wilk. In order to obtain a descriptive analysis of the data applied central tendency and variability measures (average and standard deviation if normal distribution of data is confirmed). The effect of training (independent variable) on the dependent variable were analyzed by paired t-test. The results indicate that 12 weeks of training promoted improvements in all components of functional fitness and BMI, except for trunk flexibilty. However, only lower body strenght had a significant change of p< 0.05 (14.7 versus 16.1 rep). Therefore, supervised step and aerobic dance training can be considered and effective modality to prevent the decline of functional fitness and its associated consequences.