BENEFÍCIOS DO TREINAMENTO DE FORÇA PARA IDOSOS

Abstract

Aging is a process characterized by a gradual loss of vital capacities, associated with a decline in functional capacity. The aim of this study is to identify in the literature the benefits of strength training for the elderly population. In this sense, this study was carried out from a bibliographic review and field studies that address this theme, in order to understand its influence in the control of diseases arising from aging. This study is justified in order to show the benefits that strength training provides to the elderly aiming at improving their health and quality of life, in addition to prospering in their independence for the activities of daily living. Studies have demonstrated several benefits acquired through strength training for this audience such as: gains in muscle strength and mass, maintenance and gain of bone mass, increased energy expenditure at rest and promotion of weight loss. In addition to these benefits, strength training has been shown to be effective in increasing the size of fast fibers and in the total relative quantity of myosin IIA heavy chains. Regarding hypertension, the elderly who perform strength exercise significantly reduce the tension levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Thus, the exercise of force applied in a oriented and conscious way becomes an extremely important method to minimize the harmful effects of aging, as well as to prevent and collaborate in the treatment of obesity, sarcopenia, osteoporosis and hypertension.