Different types of functional training on the functionality and quality of life in postmenopausal women: a randomized and controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is widely recommended for improving physical fitness. However, the most effective training method in improving the daily life of postmenopausal women is not clear. Therefore, this study compares different ways of functional training, focused on the task, and directed to the physical abilities on the functionality and quality of life of the postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned into three groups: element-based functional training (EBFT); task-specific-based functional training (TSBFT); and the control group (CG). The intervention lasted fourteen weeks, with three weekly sessions stimulating several physical valences in the same session. The global functionality, functional reach, gait speed, handgrip strength, jumping ability, and quality of life before and after the intervention were evaluated. RESULTS: A similar increase was detected in both experimental groups for the variables-analyzed when compared to the initial moment (P<0.05), except in the dynamic postural control (P>0.05), which showed no difference. However, in the tests of rising from the floor and handgrip strength, only the task-specific-based functional training showed difference over time (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Functional training protocols improve the performance in daily activities of postmenopausal women. However, task-specific-based functional training is more effective when compared to the control group in the analyzed variables.

Effects of different multicomponent training methods on functional parameters in physically-active older women.

BACKGROUND: Negative functionality changes are among the effects of aging. The multicomponent training performed on conventional machines or with new implements and features directed to daily activities is strongly recommended among attenuation strategies. However, the efficiency of both types of training is not yet clear in the recent literature. The aim was to compare the effects of different multicomponent training methods on functional parameters in older women. METHODS: Thirty-seven volunteers were randomly selected into the functional multicomponent training (MFT: N.=15), traditional multicomponent training (MTT: N.=14) and control group (CG: N.=8). They were assessed in the tests: Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Ten-Minute Fast Walking Test (10FWT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Ankle Test (AKT), Sit To Stand Modified test (STSM), and quality of life (QOL). ANOVA (3×2) followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc was used, adopting P≤0.05 for statistical significance. RESULTS: When compared pre-post values, MFT showed significant differences in all functional tests evaluated (AKT: P<0.01; STSM: P<0.01; FRT: P<0.01; QOF: P<0.01; 10FWT: P<0.01; 6MWT: P<0.01; TUG: P<0.05). In the same comparison, MTT showed a significant change in all tests (AKT: P<0.01; STSM: P<0.01; FRT: P<0.01; QOF: P<0.05; 6MWT: P≤0.05; TUG: P<0.05) except 10FWT. When compared to CG, MFT showed a significant difference in all walking tests and MTT showed a better performance in 10FWT and TUG. CONCLUSIONS: Both experimental protocols were effective to improve functional parameters in older women. However, the MFT was performed better in most tests that required efficiency in gait ability.

Functional Training Induces Greater Variety and Magnitude of Training Improvements than Traditional Resistance Training in Elderly Women.

The objective was to investigate the effects of functional (FT) and traditional (TT) training on trunk muscles maximal isometric strength, rate of force development and endurance with trained elderly women. Forty-five elderly women were directed into three groups: FT (n =1 6), TT (n = 14) and Control (n = 15). The FT (multi-planar, and multi-articular movements) and TT (primarily machine-based resistance exercises) performed mobility, muscle strength and power exercises. Both training groups also performed intermittent cardiometabolic activities. The maximum strength and endurance of the trunk muscles were verified, both at baseline and after 12 weeks of training (3xweek for 50 min each). Data were analyzed using a 2-way ANCOVA with contrast of adjusted mean values. FT significantly increased all variables: maximum trunk flexor strength (p = 0.002, 22%); rate of flexor force development (p = 0.001, 84%); trunk extensors maximal strength (p = 0.003, 17%); trunk extensor rate of force development (p = 0.05, 16%); trunk flexors (p = 0.001, 19%) and extensors (p = 0.017, 13%) endurance compared to baseline. TT showed an increase only in RFD of trunk extensors (p = 0.003, 53%), and flexors (p = 0.033, 42%), and trunk flexors endurance (p = 0.008, 11%). However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups. FT promoted improvement in all variables; strength, endurance and rate of force development of the trunk flexors and extensors of the elderly. On the other hand, TT improved only the rate of force development of trunk flexors and extensors and endurance of the trunk flexors. FT is recommended for elderly women as it improves a broader array of physiological parameters.

Comparison between functional and traditional training exercises on joint mobility, determinants of walking and muscle strength in older women.

BACKGROUND: Currently, several strength training protocols have been verified aiming improvements on functionality in older population. For this purpose, integrated exercises aimed at improving essential movements may be an interesting strategy in improving performance for daily activities. This randomized trial compared the effects of eight and twelve weeks of functional and traditional training (TT) on joint mobility, gait determinants and muscle strength, and verified the maintenance of the effects after eight weeks of detraining in the older women. METHODS: Fifty-two older women were randomized into three groups: Functional Training (FT: N.=19), TT (TT: N.=16) and Stretching Group (SG: N.=17). The data were analyzed by ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc test. RESULTS: The FT and TT groups obtained significant improvements in the tests of muscle strength and muscle power both after twelve weeks of intervention, as well as with SG. Only the FT presented statistically significant improvements in dynamic agility/balance (32%, P=0.000), and cardiorespiratory condition (8.71%, P=0.020) in relation to SG. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental protocols are equally effective in improving joint mobility and strength components in active older women. However, FT seems to be more effective than TT in the improvement of the determinants of gait ability.

The effects of functional and traditional strength training on different strength parameters of elderly women: a randomized and controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is the main strategy for improving physical fitness in elderly population. However, it is not clear which training method lead to greater adaptations on maximal dynamic strength, muscle power, muscle endurance and isometric strength in this population. Thus, our aim was to compare the effects of functional and traditional training on these variables in the elderly. METHODS: This study lasted twelve weeks, where 44 elderly women were randomly divided into three groups: functional training (FT; N.=18), traditional training (TT; N.=15), and control group (CG; N.=11). Maximal dynamic strength and muscle power tests were performed in pushing (Chest Press), pulling (Seated Row), and squatting (Leg Press 45°) actions. In addition, isometric strength with hand grip test (HG) and isometric dead lift test (ID) and muscle endurance with 30-s chair stand (CS) and 30-s arm curl (AC) tests were used. RESULTS: Both experimental groups improved significantly in strength (FT: Chest Press 24.9%, Leg Press 45° 38.4%, Seated Row 21.6%; TT: Chest Press 27.6%, Leg Press 45° 40.9%, Seated Row 24.5%), power (FT: Chest Press 13.6%, Leg Press 45° 11.6%, Seated Row 13.6%; TT: Chest Press 18.2%, Leg Press 45° 9.8%, Seated Row 19.2%) isometric strength (FT: HG=14.7%, ID=13.6%; TT: HG=19.1%), and endurance (TF: CS=19.6%, AC=23.8%; TT: AC=15.5%) with P≤0.05, except TT in ID (4.4%) and SL (4.6%). There was no difference between experimental groups; however, both experimental groups were statistically superior to CG. CONCLUSIONS: Both training protocols were equally effective in improving different strength manifestations in the elderly.