Upper Versus Lower Body Resistance Exercise in Older Adults

Effects of Resistance Exercise Focused on the Upper Body Versus the Lower Body on Global Physical Fitness and Cognitive Status of Older Adults Living in Geriatric Centers

TITLE: Relation between focused resistance training and its effect on cognitive performance and functional Independence of institutionalized elderly.

HIPOTHESIS: The performance of a physical exercise program based on resistance training in older adults stabilizes or improves some parameters of the functional independence as well as the cognitive function, finding effects overall organism by the focused training of some muscular groups.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES: 1) to analyze the differential effects of an exercise program based on the training of the muscular strength of the upper body versus a lower body one, at short and long term in institutionalized elderly people; 2) to identify if there is any relations between the variables that induce frailness or functional dependence and the physical exercise program.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: To determine the differential effects of a physical exercise program based on the development of the muscular strength of the upper body versus the lower body, in sessions of 40 minutes a day, 2 days per week during 7 months on: a) The improvement of functional independence by the amelioration of balance, decrease of fall risk and an adequate development in the activities of daily living; b) The improvement of the global cognitive function; c) The improvement of the quality of life.

METHODS

• Design: Controlled trial. The institutionalized elderly from the geriatric centers will be invited to take part in the study. After they meet the selection criteria, they will be assigned to two experimental groups and one control group in each center. Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics and a clinical anamnesis of the participants will be collected.
• Intervention: Three groups, one from each centre. Two centers, experimental groups, will perform two physical exercises programs of resistance training with elastic bands, one focused on the upper and one on the lower body. They will be carried 2 days per week, during 3 months in 45-minute sessions. The program will consist of 5 exercises, with a volume of 4 sets of 12 repetitions, with 2-minute breaks between sets and 3 between exercises. Control group will participate in 40 minutes stretching sessions, 3 times per week. After 3 months of exercise and after three months of transition, they experimental groups will perform the other program for another 3 months, crossing the interventions.
• Assessments: Six will be carried: At the beginning, at the end of the first intervention, at the beginning of the second one, at the end and a follow up 3 months later. In each, it will be assessed the potential cognitive impairment and cognitive status (Spanish version of the MMSE, Fototest and Trail Making Test part A), functional independence (Timed Up and Go Test), grip strength (hand dynamometer), lower body strength (30 Seconds Chair Stands) and flexibility/mobility (Chair Sit-and-Reach and Back Scratch Test.)

Inclusion Criteria:

• No medical contraindications to be involved in the exercise programs.
• To be able to follow the exercise classes
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

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