Saliha Belmonte Darraz1, Ana María González-Roldán2, Joaquín de María Arrebola3, Casandra Isabel Montoro-Aguilar4. 1. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS) e Instituto de Investigación en Salud de las Islas Baleares (IdISBa), Universidad de las Islas Baleares (UIB), Palma, España; Área de Sanidad del Ayuntamiento de Palma de Mallorca, Palma, España. 2. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS) e Instituto de Investigación en Salud de las Islas Baleares (IdISBa), Universidad de las Islas Baleares (UIB), Palma, España. 3. Área de Sanidad del Ayuntamiento de Palma de Mallorca, Palma, España. 4. Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Jaén, Jaén, España. Electronic address: imontoro@ujaen.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: The benefits of the physical exercise in aging, and specially in frailty, have been associated with reduced risk of mortality, chronic disease, and cognitive and functional impairments. Multi-component training, which combines strength, endurance, balance, and gait training, represents the most beneficial kind of physical exercise in older adults. METHODS: Given the effectiveness of the multi-component training, a physical exercise program «Actívate» (based on the methodology Vivifrail), with the focus on «active aging», was conducted in the present study. Forty-nine older adults over 60 years participated in this program. RESULTS: The physical exercise intervention led to a reduction in diastolic blood pressure, pain threshold and sleep disturbances (e. g. hypersomnia) (t ≥ 2.72, p < 0.01), as well as an increase of walking speed (t = 7.84, p ≤ 0.001). Further, quality of life factors (GENCAT scale), like emotional well-being, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, and social inclusion, were greater after intervention (t ≥ -2.06, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the benefits of multi-component training in functionality of older adults, and further, provide relevant aspects about the modulation of pain perception, sleep disturbances, social factors and physical and emotional well-being. Physical exercise programs such as «Actívate» should be promoted, in order to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, in the older adults' population.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: The benefits of the physical exercise in aging, and specially in frailty, have been associated with reduced risk of mortality, chronic disease, and cognitive and functional impairments. Multi-component training, which combines strength, endurance, balance, and gait training, represents the most beneficial kind of physical exercise in older adults. METHODS: Given the effectiveness of the multi-component training, a physical exercise program «Actívate» (based on the methodology Vivifrail), with the focus on «active aging», was conducted in the present study. Forty-nine older adults over 60 years participated in this program. RESULTS: The physical exercise intervention led to a reduction in diastolic blood pressure, pain threshold and sleep disturbances (e. g. hypersomnia) (t ≥ 2.72, p < 0.01), as well as an increase of walking speed (t = 7.84, p ≤ 0.001). Further, quality of life factors (GENCAT scale), like emotional well-being, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, and social inclusion, were greater after intervention (t ≥ -2.06, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the benefits of multi-component training in functionality of older adults, and further, provide relevant aspects about the modulation of pain perception, sleep disturbances, social factors and physical and emotional well-being. Physical exercise programs such as «Actívate» should be promoted, in order to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, in the older adults' population.