Clinical Interventions in Aging (Feb 2023)
Effects of a Physical Exercise Program on the Physical Capacities of Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Abstract
Edward David Buriticá-Marín, Jorge Enrique Daza-Arana, Jennifer Jaramillo-Losada, Ana Ruth Riascos-Zuñiga, Leidy Tatiana Ordoñez-Mora Physiotherapy Program, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, ColombiaCorrespondence: Jennifer Jaramillo-Losada, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Carrera 86 #1-12 apartamento 503, torre A., Cali, Colombia, Tel +57 3162979468, Email [email protected]: To measure the effects of an exercise program on the physical capacities of older adults such as strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity.Patients and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study on a population of 5550 older adults and a sample of 4830 participants in an active aging program designed by the Municipal Health Secretary. The exercise program lasted 12 months, and pre-and post-program intervention measures were recorded using the senior fitness test.Results: Most participants were women (92.4%) and their mean age was 70.7 years (standard deviation, 7.3 years; range, 60– 97 years). All areas showed significant differences before and after the program in terms of the participants’ physical capabilities (p 0.80), except for aerobic capacity, which had a small effect.Conclusion: The present study revealed that a supervised physical exercise program at the community level has positive effects on the physical capacities of coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, and aerobic capacity, which are essential components for a better functional capacity at this stage of life, with improvements that encompassed the improved self-perception of their health status, a reduction of overweight and obesity. The reinforcement of these programs is recommended, consequently, promoting pre-sport games and sports championships among the elderly population, as a public health strategy.Keywords: aging, physical exercise, postural balance, public health
