Effects of resistance training on the performance of activities of daily living in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training in activities of daily living performance in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.


METHODS
An exploratory and longitudinal study, lasting for 16 weeks, with the participation of 34 patients divided equally in: the training group (TG), who participated in a resistance training protocol (three sets of 20 repetitions in five exercises); and the social gathering group (SGG), who participated in a social interaction protocol (i.e. group dynamics, writing and reading activities).


RESULTS
We observed significant differences between the groups in moving around the house, climbing stairs, standing up from the floor and putting on socks tests.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that resistance training improves agility, lower limb strength, balance and flexibility in AD patients, while SGG protocol is important to improve the agility.
Institute of Biosciences, Department of Physical Education, UNESP - University Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil. marcelo.garuffi@gmail.com
Marcelo
M
Garuffi
José Luiz Riani
JL
Costa
Salma Sthephany Soleman
SS
Hernández
Thays Martins
TM
Vital
Angelica Miki
AM
Stein
Julimara Gomes
JG
dos Santos
Florindo
F
Stella
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D011932:Reading; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D014956:Writing