title: Effects of resistance training on the sit-and-reach test in elderly women.
abstract: The study showed the effects of a 10-week resistance training program on flexibility of elderly women (n = 11) between 62 and 78 years of age. The control group was composed of 8 women (62 to 73 years old) who were physically inactive. Flexibility was evaluated through the sit-and-reach test, performed both before and after the training program. After an initial evaluation, individuals started a training program, which consisted of 8 exercises for the entire body, without the performance of any flexibility exercise. The training program resulted in significant increase (p < 0.001) of flexibility in elderly women (approximately equal 13%). No significant differences were found in the control group. We conclude that weight training without performance stretching exercises does increase flexibility in elderly women.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition, Postgraduate Course, FEA/FCF/FSP, PRONUT, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. alinerb@usp.br
authors.forename: Aline Rodrigues
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Santarém
authors.forename: Wilson Jacob
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima Nunes
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Marucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D018583:Pliability; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*