Effect of Supervised and Unsupervised Exercise Training in Outdoor Gym on the Lifestyle of Elderly People.

Welmo A Barbosa, Carine Danielle F C Leite, Carlos H O Reis, Alexandre F Machado, Valentina Bullo, Stefano Gobbo, Marco Bergamin, Ana Paula Lima-Leopoldo, Rodrigo L Vancini, Julien S Baker, Roberta L Rica, Danilo S Bocalini

Journal: International journal of environmental research and public health 2023;20(21):7022

PMID: 37947578

Free Full Text on MDPI View on PubMed

Plain Language Summary

Lifestyle directly impacts the longevity and quality of life in the elderly population. Therefore, behaviours such as sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity, and inadequate nutrition are discouraged, primarily due to their association with detrimental effects on health indicators. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week training program, both supervised and unsupervised, using equipment from popular gyms for elderly individuals to measure lifestyle parameters. This study enrolled physically independent elderly people who were randomly distributed into three groups: supervised training (n: 20; ST), unsupervised training (n: 20; UT) and control (n: 20; C). The ST and UT groups completed a 12-week program, with exercises performed three times a week. Results showed that there were no significant differences among the assessed groups in terms of the family domain. However, elderly individuals subjected to physical exercise programs exhibit a better lifestyle compared to inactive elderly individuals. Authors concluded that findings underscore the significance of engaging in physical activity, as it yields numerous beneficial impacts on the health of this population.

Abstract

UNLABELLED

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of supervised and unsupervised physical training programs using outdoor gym equipment on the lifestyles of elderly people.

METHODS

physically independent elderly people were randomly distributed into three groups: supervised training (n: 20; ST), unsupervised training (n: 20; UT) and control (n: 20; C). The ST and UT groups completed a 12-week program, with exercises performed three times a week. The ST group underwent weekly 30 min sessions consisting of a 5 min warm-up (walking at 60% of HR), followed by 20 sets of 30, "monitored by a metronome with 30" of passive recovery between sets and a five-minute cool-down. The following equipment was used: elliptical, rowing, surfing and leg press. The UT group was instructed to freely attend the gym and train spontaneously using the same equipment used by ST. Lifestyle changes were evaluated using a questionnaire containing specific domains.

RESULTS

no significant differences were identified in the domains for family, physical activity, nutrition, smoking, sleep, behavior, introspection, work and overall score; however, the values corresponding to the alcohol domain for the ST and UT groups were lower ( < 0.05) than the C group, remaining even lower after the 12 weeks of intervention. Time effect ( < 0.05) was found only in the ST group for the physical domains, sleep, behavior and overall score.

CONCLUSION

elderly people submitted to supervised and unsupervised physical exercise programs using outdoor gym equipment present positive changes in lifestyle parameters compared to physical inactive elderly people.

Address: Experimental Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Campus Goiabeiras, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, Vitória 29075-910, ES, Brazil.; MoveAgeLab, Physical Education and Sport Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-010, ES, Brazil.; Experimental Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Campus Goiabeiras, Avenida Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, Vitória 29075-910, ES, Brazil.; Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.; MoveAgeLab, Physical Education and Sport Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-010, ES, Brazil.; Center for Health and Exercise Science Research, Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong 999077, Hong Kong.; Department of Physical Education, Estacio de Sá University, Vitoria 22640-102, ES, Brazil.

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20217022