ESTUDOS COMPARATIVOS DOS EFEITOS DE DOIS PROGRAMAS DE EXERCÍCIOS - CAMINHADA E EXERCÍCIOS GERAIS - NA POSTURA E MARCHA DE IDOSOS SEDENTÁRIOS SAUDÁVEIS

Abstract

Worldwide increase of older population associated with aging
functional deficits brings up the need to study strategies to improve and/or
maintain functional capacity and quality of life of these subjects. This paper
aims to compare the effects of two physical exercise programs (general
exercises and walking training) on the posture and gait of healthy elderly.
Thirty sedentary older adults (mean age 68.7 ± 3.5 years) were randomized
into three groups: EG (general exercises), EC (walking training) and CT (control)
and then submitted to assessment of posture (height and Posture Index)
and gait (Gait Index). After 8 weeks of intervention EG and EC showed
significant improvement on posture assessment, with better results presented
by EG. On post intervention gait analysis, both EG and EC intervention
groups demonstrated significant improvement of the Gait Index, however EC
had the best scores. CT did not show any significant changes after the
intervention period. In conclusion, EG approach was more beneficial for
posture and EC for gait.