title: Effects of progressive strength training on the performance of the Functional Reach Test and the Timed Get-Up-and-Go Test in an elderly population from the rural north of Portugal.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an intensity progressive strength training program on the performance of two tests related to fall risk: the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Timed Get-Up-and-Go Test (TUG). Twenty subjects were randomly included in one experimental group (age 73 +/- 6 years old) and one control group (age 75 +/- 5 years old). Subjects from the experimental group participated in a strength-training program consisting of three sessions each week for a period of 14 consecutive weeks, from 50% to 80% of 1RM. A 2 (group: experimental vs. control) x 2 (pre-post: pre-test vs. post-test) repeated measures ANOVA was carried out on subjects in TUG and FRT performance. Mean FRT results from the pre-test were significantly lower than mean results from post-test. The two main effects were qualified by a significant group x pre-post interaction, F(1,18) = 39.23, P < 0.001, identifying markedly different performance profiles. Mean TUG results from the pre-test were significantly lower than mean results from post-test. The two main effects were qualified by a significant group x pre-post interaction, F(1,18) = 50.74, P < 0.001, again identifying markedly different performance profiles. Globally, the obtained results through our progressive strength-training program showed important improvements in functional task performance and in preventing falls.
authors.affiliation: Sport Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011174:Portugal; D012424:Rural Population; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis