Stretching and Multicomponent Training to Functional Capacities of Older Women: A Randomized Study

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The real benefits of stretching when used as training for the older adult population and for developing other physical capacities are still uncertain. Thus, the objective of the present work is to investigate the effects of stretching training combined with multi-component training on the physical capacities of physically inactive older women. Methods: Women aged 60 to 70 years were randomized into three groups: multicomponent training (MT), multicomponent training combined with flexibility training (CT), and control group (CG). Both training interventions were carried out for 14 weeks, with two weekly sessions. Participants were assessed for agility, muscle strength (sitting and standing and elbow flexion/extension), and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walk). Results and Discussion: Multicomponent training with flexibility presented a very large effect on the variables of strength, agility, and aerobic fitness, while multicomponent training had a medium effect on agility and a large and very large effect on muscle strength variables. This is the first study in the literature to analyze the effect of flexibility training, associated with multicomponent training, on other physical capacities. Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that adding flexibility training to a multicomponent training program generates additional benefits to the development of other physical capacities.

36 weeks of Multicomponent Training Reverse Strength Sequels in Mastectomy Arm, Improves Functional Fitness and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Machine Learning-Assisted Experimental Trial

“…In fact, LLS is a relevant ability for good performance in daily life activities of BC survivors; however, both the disease and the subsequent treatment act weaken the patients, namely reducing LLS, and as a result, they end up limiting the ability to move, which compromises the realization of the ADLs, besides increasing the risk of falls [47] . Interventions with MCT have been effective in improving LLS in different populations, such as physically independent elders [48,49] , frail elders [50] , patients with diabetes [51] , and patients with lung cancer [52] . In addition, an MCT intervention with remote training guidance caused improvements in LLS in BC survivors, which contributed to rehabilitating the FF of the participants [53] .…”

Physical training improves physical activity levels but is associated with amplification of sedentary behavior in older women

“…The training was applied to develop coordinative motor skills and conditioning motor skills twice a week on non-consecutive days, lasting 90 min per session, divided into 15 initial minutes of warm-up, balance, coordination motor skills and games, 35 min of muscle strength training, 35 min of aerobic activities, and a final 5 min of relaxation (9,10). Training intensity was monitored using the Borg scale adapted by Foster et al (11,12), to progressively track perceived exertion in values from 3 to 10, on a scale from 0 to 10 (1st and 2nd weeks: 3 to 4; 3rd to 5th week: 4 to 6; 6th to 8th week: 6 to 7; 9th to 11th week: 7 to 8; 11th to 14th week: 8 to 10), representing moderate to high-intensity physical exercise.…”

Fourteen weeks of multicomponent training associated with flexibility training modifies postural alignment, joint range of motion and modulates blood pressure in physically inactive older women: a randomized clinical trial

“…Changes in the elasticity of body structures, such as blood vessels, joints, and ligaments, lead to loss of functional capacity in women (Kato et al, 2020). Recently, Sobrinho et al (Sobrinho et al, 2021a) documented that low flexibility is associated with higher levels of BP in older individuals, thus demonstrating a relationship between flexibility and BP values.…”