Impact of a five-month detraining period on the functional fitness and physical activity levels on active older people

Abstract Purpose This research was aimed at evaluating the effects of a five-month detraining period on the functional fitness level of a group of non-institutionalized and active older adults after taking part in a multi-component training program. A secondary aim was to determine how usual physical activity (PA) levels vary due to cessation of the program. Methods We tested sixty-five older people (mean age: 77.1 ± 6.2; 83% women) during the final week of an 8-month multi-component training program and during the first week after its resumption (five months later). We used the senior fitness test and the Minnesota Questionnaire to assess their functional fitness and their PA levels respectively. Results We observed a significant worsening of lower-limb strength (p = 0.008), shoulder range of motion (p = 0.004), and dynamic balance (p  Conclusions Active older people who regularly participated in a multicomponent training program showed a significant reduction in their strength, range of motion, and dynamic balance levels after a five-month detraining period. Self-reported PA decreased significantly during this time frame. Effective strategies are needed to increase PA levels in older people when systematic training programs are temporarily interrupted.