Effect of functional task training versus resistance training in improving activities of daily living performance in Indian community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Introduction.There is little certainty about the effect of different exercise programs on the performance of activities of daily living (AdL). The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of functional task training (FTT) and resistance training (RT) on improving AdL performance in indian community-dwelling older adults. Methods. The single-blinded comparative experimental study involved 100 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the FTT group or the RT group. The FTT group (n = 50) performed functional task exercises associated with functional performance and the RT group (n = 50) performed resistance exercises focusing mainly on muscle performance. Exercises were practised in 1-hour sessions, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. AdL performance of the participants was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks by using the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. Results. in both groups, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a significant difference between median pre-intervention ranks and median post-intervention ranks, indicating a significant improvement in AdL performance in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated that the improvement in AdL performance in the FTT group was significantly greater than that in the RT group (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Although both groups significantly enhanced their AdL performance, the improvement achieved by the FTT group was significantly greater than that in the RT group.