EFFECT OF A TRAINING-PROGRAM FOR PENSIONERS ON CONDITION AND MUSCULAR STRENGTH

Physical training was performed by 22 women aged 63-84 yr and 4 men aged 74-86 yr twice a week for 10 mo. Some subjects had moderate disorders but all of them lived in their own homes. Apart from using body weight and elastic bands, no special equipment was used as resistance. Emphasis was laid on training muscular strength and not especially on endurance training. The effect of the training on physical fitness and muscular strength is presented in the 15 women who, according to predetermined criteria, were able to perform the tests adequately. A conditioning effect was detected by using a product of watts and minutes. The static and dynamic (isokinetic) muscular strength in the knee-extensors increased (6-13%) and, parallel with this, there was an increase in the relative FTa fiber area in the vastus lateralis muscle. The training program in this study seems to be safe for an older population with diverse disorders, as only 1 negligible medical incident occurred. The present findings, with objective improvement in physical fitness with training combined with feelings of increased vigor, supports the use of gymnastic activity for pensioners and other means of stimulating the elderly to keep physically active even when they had moderate disorders. Improved physical fitness may help to prevent age-dependent impairments.