EFFECT OF A RESISTANCE TRAINING ON FUNCTIONAL FITNESS IN ELDERLY MEN

This study determined the effectiveness of a three-month program of regular exercises for the improvement of the functional performance of elderly men. The 30 subjects, aged 65–69, who took part in this trial were assigned either to an exercise group or a control group. The following variables were measured with the Senior Fitness Test (SFT test): muscular strength of lower and upper body, aerobic endurance, flexibility of lower and upper body, agility/dynamic balance and body-mass index. In the exercise group, 15 subjects completed the training program to the end of the trial; they showed significant performance improvement in lower and upper body muscular strength, aerobic endurance, agility/dynamic balance, but minimal or no significant performance improvement in lower and upper body flexibility, while the control subjects showed minimal or no improvement in all SFT subtests.