ORIGINAL ARTICLE ISSN 0103-5150

Fisioter. Mov., Curitiba, v. 33, e003349, 2020

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1980-5918.033.AO49
Licensed under a Creative Commons attribution

[T]

Muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly people engaged

in two types of strength training

Força muscular e capacidade funcional de idosos praticantes de dois

exercícios contra resistência

Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira [a], Naelly Renata Saraiva Pivetta [b]

, Fabiana Cristina Scherer [c]
,
José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Júnior [d]*

[a]
Centro Universitário de Maringá (UNICESUMAR), Maringá, PR, Brazil
[b]
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
[c]
Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brazil
[d]
Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Petrolina, PE, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Regular physical activity is one of the main ways of avoiding compromised functional ca-
pacity and gaining muscle mass. Objective: investigate the differences in muscle strength and functional
capacity of elderly people engaged in two types of strength exercises. Method: a cross-sectional study of
80 seniors of both sexes, 40 of whom engaged in weight training and 40 from the Fitness Zone in the city of
Maringá, Paraná, state. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the sitting-rising and elbow flexion tests, and the
functional capacity tests of the Latin American Development Maturity Group (GDLAM) were applied. The
data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney “U” and Spearman’s correlation tests (p<0.05).
Results: Most seniors who performed well in the sitting and rising test, rising from a chair and moving
around the house and rising from the dorsal decubitus position engaged in weight training (p=0.001). Those
engaged in weight training exhibited better upper limb strength and functional capacity in all the tests per-
formed (p <0.05). Muscle strength is inversely related to functional capacity, that is, the better the result in

*DVO: PhD, e-mail: d.vicentini@hotmail.com ORCID

NRSP: MS, e-mail: naellypivetta@outllok.com ORCID
FCS: PhD, e-mail: schererfaby@hotmail.com ORCID
JRANJ: PhD, e-mail: jroberto.jrs01@gmail.com ORCID

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 Oliveira DV, Pivetta NRS, Scherer FC, Nascimento Júnior, JRA.
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the upper and lower limb muscle strength tests, the better the functional capacity of the elderly engaged in
weight training. Conclusion: According to the results obtained, older people who engage in weight training
display better upper limb strength and functional capacity than seniors from the Fitness Zone.

Keywords: Aging. Motor Activity. Muscles. Training.

Resumo

Introdução: A atividade física regular é uma das principais formas de evitar a capacidade funcional compro-
metida e o ganho de massa muscular. Objetivo: investigar as diferenças na força muscular e na capacidade
funcional de idosos praticantes de dois tipos de exercícios contra resistência. Método: estudo transversal, re-
alizado com 80 idosos de ambos os sexos, sendo 40 praticantes de musculação e 40 praticantes de exercícios
nas Academias da terceira idade (ATI) no município de Maringá, Paraná. Foi aplicado um questionário so-
ciodemográfico, os testes Sentar e Levantar, Flexão de cotovelo, e os testes de capacidade funcional do Grupo
de Desenvolvimento Latino Americano para Maturidade (GDLAM). Os dados foram analisados pelos testes
Shapiro-Wilk; “U” de Mann-Whitney e correlação de Spearman (p<0,05). Resultados: A maior proporção de
idosas com nível bom para os testes levantar da posição sentada, levantar da cadeira e mover-se pela casa, e
levantar da posição de decúbito dorsal, praticava musculação (p= 0,001). Os idosos praticantes de musculação
apresentaram melhor força muscular de membros superiores e melhor capacidade funcional em todos os testes
realizados (p<0,05). A força muscular está inversamente relacionada à capacidade funcional, ou seja, quan-
to melhor o resultado nos testes de força muscular de membros superiores e inferiores melhor a capacidade
funcional do idoso praticante de musculação. Conclusão: De acordo com os resultados obtidos, conclui-se que
idosos praticantes de musculação possuem melhor força muscular de membros superiores e melhor capacida-
de funcional do que idosos praticantes de exercícios nas ATI.

Palavras-chave: Envelhecimento. Atividade Motora. Músculos. Treinamento.

Introduction important because functional impairment can be a re-

sult of chronic diseases, polypharmacy and, primarily,
Aging is a dynamic progressive process, character- physical inactivity [7].
ized by morphofunctional alterations in all body tissues Regular physical activity is one of the main ways of
[1]. These changes culminate in a decline in favorable avoiding compromised functional capacity and gaining
responses to stressor agents, making the body vulner- muscle mass [2]. The opposite is also true, in that physical
able and susceptible to injury [1]. Loss of muscle mass, inactivity is a major contributor to reduced muscle and
bone mass, flexibility and strength as well as cognitive bone mass, worsens cardiorespiratory conditioning and in-
impairment are among the changes that tend to worsen creases risk of frailty and physical dependence. Moreover,
the overall health status of individuals and affect their it is associated with mortality and morbidity in old age [2].
functional capacity [2,3]. According to the American College of Sports
Functional capacity includes physical and mental Medicine (ACSM), physical activity is defined as any
skills essential to maintaining total independence and bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that
autonomy, for both simple and complex activities [4]. results in energy expenditure above resting (basal) lev-
Compromised functional capacity affects the elderly be- els. Strength training specifically targets hypertrophy
cause it increases dependence, vulnerability and the risk and/or increasing muscle mass [8].
of depression, leads to higher health system costs and Among the most common physical activities is
more hospitalizations and affects the family, since care weight training, characterized by planned, structured
is required to perform the activities of daily living [4,5]. and repetitive bodily movements [8]. Weight training
In this respect, functional capacity is a new method to can be performed at gyms, and despite its popularity, is
assess elderly health [6]. This assessment is particularly relatively costly for some individuals. For this and other

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 Muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly people engaged in two types of strength training
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reasons, Elderly Gyms (EGs) were created [9]. EGs are MW, 1 to 2 MW and >2 MW) and marital status (conjugal
located in the open air, generally in the squares of the companion or no conjugal companion).
main neighborhoods of a city and are free to use [9]. The health status and exercise variables were pres-
Thus, given that functional impairment occurs in ence of noncommunicable chronic diseases (none; one;
aging and that physical inactivity is a risk inherent to two or more); history of falls in the six months before
morbidity and mortality among the elderly, the purpose the study (yes; no); time engaged in weight training/
of the present study was to investigate the differences EG exercises (< six months; six months to two years;
in muscle strength and functional capacity of seniors > two years), weekly frequency of weight training/EG
engaged in two types of strength training. The hypoth- exercises (once or twice; three times or more).
esis is that elderly people engaged in strength training Functional capacity was assessed by the Latin
at conventional gyms, that is, weight training, exhibit American Development Maturity Group (GDLAM)
better muscle strength and functional capacity than tests10,11, as follows: 10-meter walk test (10MWT),
those belonging to EGs. rising from a sitting position (RSP), rising from a ven-
tral decubitus position (RVDP), putting on and taking
off a t-shirt (PTT), and rising from a chair and moving
Method around the house (RCMH). These tests were measured
in seconds and values calculated using the following
This cross-sectional observational study, conducted mathematical formula (GDLAM index-GI):
between February and June 2017, consisted of a non-
probability sample of 80 seniors, 40 engaged exclusively GI = [(10MWT + RSP + RVDP + PTT x 2] + RCMH
in weight training at 12 private gyms, and 40 in physical ____________________________________
exercises at 12 EGs, all located in different parts (north, 4
south, east and west regions) of Maringá, Paraná (PR)
state, Brazil. Next, functional capacity was classified according
The sample was selected by convenience and both to GDLAM, which ranges from “weak” to “very good”
groups included elderly individuals (60 years or older) in each test [10,11].
engaged exclusively in one physical exercise modality Muscle strength was assessed using two of the Rikli
(weight training or EG exercises). The exclusion criteria Jones Senior Fitness Tests [12]: forearm flexion (upper
were walking with the aid of an assistive device and limb muscle strength and resistance) and sitting and
visual, cognitive and auditory impairments that would rising from a chair (lower limb muscle strength and
hinder understanding the questionnaires applied and resistance).
performance of the specific tests. In the forearm flexion test, the seniors were instruct-
This study was approved by the Research Ethics ed to sit in a chair with back support, and 43 cm be-
Committee of the Metropolitan Faculty of Maringá tween the floor and the seat. Each individual performed
(FAMMA), under protocol number 2.190.433/2017. the maximum number of possible elbow flexions and
After permission was obtained from the Department extensions for 30 seconds holding a 2 kg (for women)
of Sports and Leisure of Maringá and written informed or 4 kg (for men) dumbbell in the dominant upper limb.
consent from the seniors, trained researchers initiated In the sitting and rising from a chair test, the individuals
data collection. rose and sat in a chair (with the same characteristics
The same assessments were performed for both described above), performing the maximum number of
groups. A standardized questionnaire was used to as- repetitions possible in 30 seconds, with arms crossed
sess the sociodemographic and health status, and the at chest level [12]. All the complete repetitions in both
following sociodemographic variables were collected: tests were recorded by the researchers.
age ranges (60 to 69 years; 70 to 79 years and 80 years The data were analyzed using the SPSS program,
or older); race (white, black, Asiatic and Indian); school- version 22.0. Descriptive analyses of the categorical
ing (never studied, incomplete elementary, elementary variables were conducted with frequency and per-
graduate, secondary graduate and university gradu- centage values. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to
ate); retired (yes or no); occupation (active or inactive); verify normality of the numerical variables and since the
monthly income in minimum wages (MW) for 2017 (<1 data were not normally distributed, the median (Md)
and quartiles (Q1 and Q3) were used to characterize

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4
(conclusion)
the results. For inferential statistics, the chi-squared Type of exercise
test was applied to compare the proportion of seniors Weight training EG
from both groups as a function of sociodemographic, VARIABLES X2 P
(n=40) (n=40)
health status and muscle strength variables. The Mann- ƒ (%) ƒ (%)
Whitney U test was used to compare muscle strength Time
and functional capacity as a function of the type of exer- engaged in
the activity
cise engaged in, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient
to determine the correlation between the two variables. 6
months 9 (47.4) 10 (52.6) 0.521 0.470
The significance level was set at p < 0.05. to 2
years
More
than 2 25 (53.2) 22 (46.8)
Results years
Weekly
Comparison between the proportion of elderly en- frequency
gaged in EG exercises as a function of sociodemographic Once or
twice 4 (26.7) 11 (73.3)
variables (Table 1) found no significant difference (p
> 0.05) in any of the variables. These results indicate 3 times 36 (55.4) 29 (44.6) 4.021 0.045*
or more
intergroup homogeneity in relation to sociodemo-
graphic variables. Note: Statistical significance of p < 0.05 (chi-squared test). EG:
Table 1 shows a comparison between health status elderly gym.
and physical exercise, according to the type engaged in.
It was found that 76.9% of the elderly with two or more More than half the elderly (56.5%) with a “good”
diseases engaged in EG exercises (p = 0.027). There was result in the sitting and rising test exercised at EGs,
a larger proportion of seniors (73.3%) who exercised and 83.3% obtained a “fair” level in the elbow flexion
once or twice a week at the EGs (p = 0.045). and extension tests (p<0.05). Most of the elderly with a
“good” level in the RSP, RCMH and RVDP tests engaged
Table 1 - Health status and physical exercises, according in weight training (p= 0.001) (Table 2).
to the type of exercise engaged in by the seniors. Maringá,
Paraná, Brasil, 2017 Table 2 - Comparison between the proportion of seniors en-
Type of exercise gaged in weight training and EG exercises as a function of
Weight training EG functional capacity and muscle strength. Maringá, Paraná,
VARIABLES X2 P
(n=40) (n=40) Brazil, 2018
ƒ (%) ƒ (%) Type of exercise
Number of Weight
diseases EG
VARIABLES training X2 P
None 28 (58.3) 20 (41.7) (n=40)
(n=40)
1 9 (47.4) 10 (52.6) 4.863 0.027*
ƒ (%) ƒ (%)
2 or 3 (23.1) 10 (76.9)
more Rising and
sitting
History Weak 7 (100.0) 0 (0.0)
of falls
Fair 6 (54.5) 5 (45.5) 7.124 0.008*
Yes 4 (40.0) 6 (60.0)
0.457 0.499 Good 27 (43.5) 35 (56.5)
No 36 (51.4) 34 (48.6) Elbow
Time flexion
engaged in
the activity Weak 0 (0.0) 1 (100.0)
Fair 2 (16.7) 10 (83.3) 7.288 0.007*
Less
than 6 6 (42.9) 8 (57.1) Good 38 (56.7) 29 (43.3)
months
(to be continued)
(to be continued)

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 Muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly people engaged in two types of strength training
5
(conclusion)
Type of exercise and enhanced functional capacity in all the tests conduct-
ed. Table 4 presents the correlation between functional
Weight
VARIABLES training
EG
X2 P
capacity and muscle strength for the elderly individuals
(n=40) engaged in weight training.
(n=40)
ƒ (%) ƒ (%)
Table 3 - Comparison between the muscle strength and func-
10MWT
tional capacity of seniors as a function of exercise type. Maringá,
Weak 39 (49.4) 40 (50.6) 1.013 0.314
Paraná, Brazil, 2017
Fair 1 (100.0) 0 (0.0)
Type of exercise
RSP
Weight EG
Weak 4 (15.4) 22 (84.6) training (n=40)
VARIABLES (n=40) P
Fair 9 (37.5) 15 (62.5) 31.218 0.001*
Good 27 (90.0) 3 (10.0) Md (Q1 and Q3) Md (Q1 and Q3)
RCMH
Muscle
Weak 1 (4.5) 21 (95.5) Strength
Fair 17 (47.2) 19 (52.8) 39.590 0.001* Sitting and 18.0 (15.0; 23.0) 19.0 (17.0; 21.0) 0.498
rising
Good 22 (100.0) 0 (0.0)
Elbow flexion 26.0 (23.3; 28.0) 20.0 (18.0; 22.0) 0.001*
RVDP
Functional
Weak 22 (39.3) 34 (60.7) Capacity
Fair 12 (66.7) 6 (33.3) 10.405 0.001* 10MWT (m) 11.6 (10.6; 13.2) 16.0 (15.2; 16.6) 0.001*
Good 6 (100.0) 0 (0.0) RSP (sec.) 9.2 (8.2; 10.2) 12.1 (11.0; 13.2) 0.001*
PTT RCMH (sec.) 38.6 (36.8; 40.1) 43.6 (42.0; 45.2) 0.001*
Weak 33 (51.6) 31 (48.4) RVDP (sec.) 5.1 (4.1; 6.0) 6.4 (5.3; 7.6) 0.001*
Fair 2 (18.2) 9 (81.8) 0.349 0.555 PTT (sec.) 13.2 (12.1; 15.1) 14.9 (13.7; 15.4) 0.007*
Good 5 (100.0) 0 (0.0) GI (score) 29.6 (27.6; 30.5) 35.6 (34.1; 36.3) 0.001*
GI Note: * Significant difference: p < 0.05 – Mann-Whitney U test.
Weak 33 (45.2) 40 (54.8) 10MWT = 10-meter walk test; RSP = rising from a sitting position;
7.671 0.006*
Fair 7 (100.0) 0 (0.0) RCMH = rising from a chair and moving around the house; RVDP
Note: 10MWT: 10-meter walk test; RSP: rising from a sitting posi- = rising from a ventral decubitus position; PTT = putting on and
tion; RVDP: rising from a ventral decubitus position; RCMH: rising taking off a t-shirt; GI = GDLAM index; m: meters; sec.: seconds.
from a chair and moving around the house; PTT: putting on and
taking off a t-shirt; GI: GDLAM index. *Statistical significance of p
Table 4 shows the following significant correlations (p
< 0.05 (chi-squared test for proportions).
< 0.05) between functional capacity and muscle strength:
RS and RSP (r = -0.34), PTT (r = -0.30) and GI (r = -0.53);
EF and RSP (r = -0.53), RCMH (r = -0.47), RVDP (r = -0.40)
Table 3 presents a comparison between the muscle and GI (r = -0.48). These results indicate that muscle
strength and functional capacity of seniors as a function strength is inversely related to functional capacity, that
of exercise type. is, the better the result in upper and lower limb muscle
Table 3 shows a significant difference (p < 0.05) in strength, the better the functional capacity of seniors
all the tests, except for the sitting and rising test (p = engaged in weight training. Table 5 demonstrates the
0.498). These results demonstrate that seniors engaged correlation between the functional capacity and muscle
in weight training exhibited better upper limb strength strength of elderly engaged in exercises at the EGs.

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Table 4 – Correlation between the muscle strength and functional capacity of seniors engaged in weight training. Maringá,
Paraná, Brazil, 2017

Muscle Strength Functional Capacity

VARIABLES
SR EF 10MWT RSP RCMH RVDP PTT GI

SR 0.40* 0.24 -0.34* -0.26 -0.28 -0.30* -0.53*

EF 0.17 -0.53* -0.47* -0.40* -0.28 -0.48*
10MWT -0.06 0.06 -0.06 0.06 0.37*
RSP 0.41* 0.13 0.09 0.44*
RCMH 0.22 0.35* 0.55*
RVDP 0.42* 0.63*
PTT 0.70*
GI
Note: *Significant Correlation – p < 0.05. SR = sitting and rising; EF = elbow flexion; 10MWT = 10-meter walk test; RSP = rising from a
sitting position; RCMH = rising from a chair and moving around the house; RVDP = rising from the ventral decubitus position; PTT = putting
on and taking off a t-shirt; GI = GDLAM index.

There was a significant correlation (p <0.05) only the greater the lower limb muscle strength, the farther
between SR and the 10MWT (r= 0.40), indicating that the distance walked by the seniors (Table 5).

Table 5 – Correlation between the muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly individuals engaged in exercises at EGs.
Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, 2017
Muscle Strength Functional Capacity
VARIABLES
SR EF 10MWT RSP RCMH RVDP PTT GI
SR 0.08 0.40* 0.02 -0.14 -0.13 0.25 0.11
EF -0.20 0.17 -0.12 -0.03 -0.07 -0.12
10MWT 0.09 0.13 -0.09 0.07 0.40*
RSP 0.04 -0.18 0.08 0.39*
RCMH -0.01 0.01 0.39*
RVDP 0.04 0.43*
PTT 0.51*
GI
Note: *Significant Correlation – p < 0.05. SR = sitting and rising; EF = elbow flexion; 10MWT = 10-meter walk test; RSP = rising from a
sitting position; RCMH = rising from a chair and moving around the house; RVDP = rising from the ventral decubitus position; PTT = putting
on and taking off a t-shirt; GI = GDLAM index.

Discussion

The main findings of this study are: weight training related to functional capacity. b) EG group participants: -
group participants: - association between “good” clas- the greater the lower limb muscle strength, the longer
sification and rising from a sitting position (lower limb the distance walked (the higher the gait speed). Thus, in
functional capacity), rising from a chair and moving general, the weight training group showed better upper
around the house (agility and balance, in life situations) limb muscle strength and superior functional capacity.
and rising from a ventral decubitus position (ability of The EG participants suffered from more diseases
the individual to rise from the floor); - association with (two or more), suggesting a possible relation between
“fair” functional capacity; - muscle strength inversely EG physical activity and number of diseases. In this

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respect, EGs were implemented in order to decrease a minimum of twice a week for strength training. This
physical inactivity and reduce the indices of chronic recommendation is within the minimum guideline of
degenerative diseases. The EGs were implemented 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
in Maringá, as part of the Public Health Policy of the In the rising and sitting test [12], there was a sig-
Healthy Maringá Program, near the Basic Health Units nificant difference in favor of EG participants, 56.5% of
to facilitate the work of physical education profession- whom were classified as good. In the present study, in-
als and the Family Health teams. Thus, interaction be- tragroup performance revealed that most of the weight
tween the policy of the National Health System (SUS)/ training individuals exhibited good results. Normal
EG/professionals and the community seems to promote lower limb strength for age[12] was found in most of
greater participation of individuals with diseases in the the seniors, suggesting that they can execute their daily
EGs. Corroborating this, Burton et al. [13] conducted a tasks independently. Santos et al. [18] aimed to identify
systematic review on the motivators and barriers to el- the number of repetitions needed in the sitting and ris-
derly participation in resistance training and found that ing from a chair test to estimate functional impairment.
the most frequent reasons for initiating and continu- The authors found that the cutoff point to determine
ing resistance training were related to health, such as functional disability in the basic activities of daily living
increasing strength and balance and improving health (ADL) was < 10 repetitions (men) and < 9 (women) and
and physical function, with a view to extending life ex- < 14 (men) and < 10 (women) for the instrumental ac-
pectancy, preventing physical impairment, reducing the tivities of daily living (IADL). They concluded that lower
risk of falls and enhancing muscle tone, among others. limb strength can be used as a predictor of functional
EG participants exercised less frequently (once or impairment in ADL and IADL.
twice a week) than those engaged in weight training (p = In this respect, it is also important to consider that
0.045). Although the EG activities are free of charge, the the “sitting and rising” test shows good correlation with
participants seem to be less committed than the weight the one repetition maximum test in the leg press (r =
training group. This may be due to the fact that the EG 0.78 for men and r = 0.71 for women) [19]. Thus, weight
individuals have more diseases and participate in ad- training equipment can be used to assess the perfor-
ditional disease-related activities, including taking part mance of seniors. When they perform poorly in the test,
in meetings for patients with the same diseases, such as training can be modified/intensified to obtain better
The National Program for Hypertension and Diabetes results. Bean et al. [20] indicated that older people with
(Hiperdia) and others; have more medical visits and limited mobility who participated in a 16-week train-
undergo more examinations. In addition, the income ing program increased muscle power in the leg press
factor may interfere in exercise frequency. This inter- by 10% more than in a traditional strength training
action is controversial in the literature [14-16]. Some program, but both groups improved equally in muscle
specialists [14, 15] report that a better socioeconomic strength and mobility.
condition favors regular physical activity. Another aspect that should be considered when
However, this diverges, in part, from that reported analyzing functional capacity in seniors, primarily in
by Oliveira et al. [16], who compared weekly frequency the rising and sitting test, is body mass index (BMI).
of physical activity in three modalities (water aerobics, In a study aimed at investigating the association be-
weight training and EG) and found that EG participants tween the BMI and functional aptitude levels of 1806
exhibited greater frequency (four or more times a week) elderly participants of the Elderly in Motion program
and consisted of more individuals earning one to two in Curitiba, Paraná state, Vagetti et al. [21] found that
minimum monthly wages. The weight training group obese seniors were more likely to display poor func-
also obtained a median frequency (three times a week) tional aptitude, including in the rising and sitting test.
and a slightly higher income than the others. Thus, although our study observed few seniors with
However, the proportion between the two modali- poor performance in the rising and sitting test, it is
ties shows a higher number of seniors engaged in the ac- suggested that future tests include BMI analysis when
tivities three or more times a week. This demonstrates functional test performance is assessed.
their possible awareness of the importance of regular With respect to upper limbs, a large portion of the
physical activity and its health benefits. Thus, the elderly elderly from both groups obtained a good result in the
participants of the modalities comply with World Health elbow flexion test, with better indices in the weight train-
Organization recommendations [17], which suggests ing group. This better performance is likely due to the fact

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that the group used exercises involving external loads improve, since good results indicate greater safety for
(weights), in contrast to EG individuals, who used only seniors, for example, when crossing the street [26].
body weight to exercise with the equipment. The good The result obtained for lower limb strength differed
performance in this and the rising and sitting test sug- between the tests. In the rising and sitting test in the
gests autonomy in many activities of daily living, such Senior Fitness tests, the EG seniors obtained a better
as carrying shopping bags, walking, riding a bicycle, etc. result (56.5% good). In the GDLAM rising from a sit-
The elbow flexion test, validated by Riki and Jones ting position test, seniors obtained a less satisfactory
[12], shows a good correlation with the one repetition outcome. A total of 67.5% of the weight training partici-
maximum test in the supine position (r = 0.84 for men pants reached a good level, while more than half of the EG
and r = 0.79 for women) [19]. Thus, the supine device group (55%) were considered weak. In the GDLAM rising
can be used in weight training gyms to assess the perfor- from a sitting position test, Oliveira et al. [16] observed
mance of seniors and if it is poor, emphasize training on that seniors from the water aerobics and EG groups ob-
this equipment and in the upper limb muscles, primarily tained similar results and were classified as fair, whereas
the pectoral, deltoid and triceps muscles. the weight training group obtained a weak result. This
Gait velocity (10MWT) revealed that 98.75% of both demonstrates the need to emphasize the development of
groups were classified as weak, a finding similar to that lower limb strength during training, since it is the first to
reported by Oliveira et al.16. However, in experimental decline and is the neuromotor component that decreases
studies with strength and/or flexibility training, a sig- most with aging (-1.4%/year, that is 14%/decade) [27].
nificant improvement was found in all the GDLAM pro- This is a normal result of aging and is related to the lack
tocol tests, and particularly in the 10MWT test [22-25]. of physical activity, loss of muscle fiber, protein synthesis
What differed in both results (improved 10MWT test and mitochondrial function [28, 29].
and the weak result) was the previous participation in In the RCMH test in the present study, which aimed
physical activities. In our study and that of Oliveira et. to assess the agility and balance of the seniors in daily
[16], the seniors had been engaged in the modality twice situations [26], EG participants (52.5%) obtained a
a week for at least three months. In the study by King weak level and their weight training counterparts were
et al. [24], the eligibility criterion was that the elderly classified as good. These results differed from those
individuals were not regularly active more than twice reported by Oliveira et al. [16], where the seniors from
a week during the six months before assessment/onset the EGs were classified as very good, with better results
of the study. In a study by Vale et al. [23], the elderly than those of the weight training and water aerobics
had not engaged in physical exercise for at least six groups. In the present study, the weight and strength
months. Likewise, in another study by Vale et al. [22], training may have improved performance in this test.
the seniors had not taken part in programs and/or en- For the RVDP variable, both programs obtained a
gaged in strength and flexibility exercises for at least weak result (weight training = 55%, EG = 85%). Despite
three months before the program. In the investigation this result, the weight training group performed bet-
by Schlight et al. [25], elderly subjects were not involved ter than their EG counterparts. The results obtained by
in strength training. Thus, seniors exposed to exercise Oliveira et al. [16] were similar. Thus, despite the lack
may be less susceptible to changes over time and in of satisfactory results, the better performance by the
our study the exercises conducted were most likely not weight training group can be justified by the fact that
sufficient to cause satisfactory changes in the elderly, they used all their body muscles, which requires a cer-
thereby requiring corrections/adaptations with a rise tain amount of strength and control [26]. It is important
in load during the exercises. to underscore that weight training aims at improving
As such, it is suggested that during weight training strength and resistance, through the use of specialized
programs greater emphasis be paid to the quadriceps, equipment and extra weights. This test reflects the func-
ischiotibial and hip flexor muscles responsible for gait, tional capacity of seniors and is related to greater risk
with an increase in weight. The EG results may have of death [30], demonstrating the importance of inten-
occurred due to the absence of external weights, since sifying training in order to obtain better results, but in
in most of the devices, the exercises are performed only a manner that is enjoyable to those involved.
with the body weight or that of the equipment itself. It The present study exhibits the following limitations:
is important that performance in this test (10MWT) a cross-sectional design, which precludes establishing
cause and effect of the variables analyzed; b) the data

Page 08 of 10 Fisioter Mov. 2020;33:e003349

 Muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly people engaged in two types of strength training
9

collection sites were diverse and may have resulted in 4. Oliveira-Figueiredo DST, Felisbino-Mendes MS, Malta
different measurements and classifications, and c) the DC, Velásquez-Meléndez JG. Prevalência de incapacidade
use of a non-probability sample, that is, the absence of funcional em idosos: análise da Pesquisa Nacional de
a sampling calculation. The strong points should also Saúde Rev Rene. 2017;18(4):468-75.
be mentioned: a) the study was conducted in commu-
5. Marandini BAN, Silva BT, Abreu DPG. Functional ca-
nity settings and b) the modalities explored here are
pacity evaluation of elderly people: activity of the fam-
the most widely used by the elderly population in the
ily health strategy teams. J. res. fundam. care. online
city assessed, according to the authors’ experience. It
2017;9(4):1087-93.
is suggested that new studies be carried out, prefer-
ably longitudinal, to monitor health variables, such as 6. Castro DC, Nunes DP, Pagotto V, Pereira LV, Bachion MM,
the muscle strength and functional capacity of seniors Nakatani AYK. Incapacidade funcional para atividades
engaged in different physical exercise modalities. básicas de vida diária de idosos: estudo populacional.
Cien Cuid Saude. 2016;15(1):109-17.

7. Medeiros Rodrigues WK, Vasconcelos Rocha S, Carneiro

Conclusion
Vasconcelos LR, de Oliveira Diniz K. Atividade física e
incapacidade funcional em idosos da zona rural de
According to the results obtained, it can be con- um município do Nordeste do Brasil. Rev Bras Promoç
cluded that seniors engaged in weight training exhibit Saúde. 2015;28(1):126-32.
better upper limb muscle strength and enhanced func-
tional capacity than their EG counterparts. The practi- 8. Medicine ACoS. Diretrizes do ACSM para os testes de
cal applicability of this study is to help administrators/ esforço e sua presccrição. presccrição. DdApotdees,
public health professionals make decisions in terms editor. Rio de Janeiro-RJ: American College of Sports
of the interventions needed to preserve the functional Medicine; 2016.
status of the elderly, in order to improve their perfor- 9. Priario LAA, Carpes FP, Azevedo RR, Nery SB, Ceccon FG,
mance in daily activities and prolong their autonomy Vieira PRC. Academias da terceira idade: um local para
and independence. interveção interdisciplinar. Anais do Salão Internacional
de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão. 2016;7(3).

Acknowledgments 10. Dantas EHM, Vale RGS. Protocolo GDLAM de avaliação

da autonomia funcional. Fit Per J. 2004;3(3):175-82.
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de Santa Catarina, FAPESC / Brazil (PAP UDESC, Public
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Received in:11/19/2018
Recebido em: 19/11/2018

Approved in: 11/28/2019

Aprovado em: 28/11/2019

Page 10 of 10 Fisioter Mov. 2020;33:e003349