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Updated: Aug 27, 2025
Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Nine weeks of combined training improve functional and morphological outcomes in trained older people with
Angelica Danielevicz1, Larissa Schlösser2, Isabel Heberle1
1Department of Physical Education, Sports Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Background:
The study is characterized as a single group experiment, with the aim of verifying the responses of functional capacity and body composition, after a combined training program with undulating periodization, of low cost and easy applicability, in volunteers with cardiovascular risk factors.
Methods:
Experimental study carried out with individuals of both sexes, with cardiometabolic risk factors, members of a Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation Program (PROCOR) of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). A combined physical training program (aerobic and strength) with load training progression was used, performed at a frequency of three weekly sessions, on alternate days, for nine weeks and using shin guards, elastic bands or just body weight. Functional capacity, anthropometric profile and body composition of individuals were evaluated before and after the intervention. The comparison of data before and after the intervention period was performed using the Student's t-test for paired samples and the Wilcoxon test.
Results:
Improvements statistically significant were observed in the tests related to functional capacity, "Sit and Stand", "8-foot-up-and-go" at usual and maximum speeds and "March", along with a decrease in anthropometric measurements of hip circumference, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, and fat mass in the android region. In addition, the program was well-tolerated with a low rate of sample losses.
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that only 9 weeks of combined training at low cost and easy applicability is able to promote improvement in parameters related to functional capacity, anthropometric profile, and body composition of trained older people with cardiovascular risk factors.
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