Effects of various physical exercise programs on health parameters in elderly individuals

Abstract

This study examines the impact of different physical exercise programs on health variables in elderly individuals. A total of 60 participants were assigned to four groups: resistance training in open-air gyms (GT1, n = 17), aerobic and localized exercises (GT2, n = 11), resistance training in traditional gyms (GT3, n = 17), and a control group (CG, n = 15). Anthropometric, cardiovascular, metabolic, and strength parameters were measured before and after 16-week intervention. The GT1 showed a small effect (Cohen d effect size) on fat percentage, waist-rip ratio (WHR), and upper limp strength (ULS) and a medium effect on lower limb strength (LLS). For the GT2, there was a large effect on the LLS. For the GT3, there was a medium effect on the ULS and a large effect on the LLS. There was a small effect on glycemia in the GT1, a medium effect on glycemia and triglycerides in the GT2, a small effect on total cholesterol in the GT3, and a large effect on glycemia in the CG, where the glucose levels were increased. There were large effects on SBP in the GT2; small effects on SBP, DBP, and HR in the GT3; and small effects on SBP and HR in the CG. The TG, LLS, and ULS variables differed the most for each type of exercise. The three methods proved to be efficient, but some may be preferred over the others based on the patients’ health conditions, objectives, or characteristics at the time when the physician assigned them to the program.