Background/Purpose To evaluate the effects of two different training programs on functional performance in elderly women living in long term care (LTC) facilities.
Method Elderly women were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (SA; n = 50); an activities of daily living group (ADL; n = 50) or a control group (C; n = 35). The SA group completed 3 sessions of exercise per week for 4 months. The exercise for the SA group consisted of 1 set of 12 bilateral repetitions of 8 different strength training exercises using Thera BandŽ resistance bands, body weight and hand weights and 15 minutes of continuous walking, while the ADL group completed a battery of ADLs and flexibility exercises. Each test was analyzed separately using a 3 (Groups: SA v. ADL v. C) x 2 (Time: baseline v. post) ANOVA. Post-hoc procedures assessed significant interactions and main effects.
Analysis/Results SA and ADL were significantly increased at post and significantly higher than C at post for 30-sec chair stand, 30-sec arm curl and chair sit-and-reach. ADL was significantly increased at post and significantly higher than SA or C at post for back scratch. SA was significantly increased at post and significantly higher than ADL or C at post for get up and go and 6 minute walk.
Conclusions Training is effective for increasing select measures of functional performance in elderly women living in LTC facilities.