Improvement of physical fitness components in older adults from northern Mexico

Abstract

In Mexico, demographic trends in adulthood have registered a noticeable increase, yet studies and programs for older adults are less frequent. This study seeks to demonstrate the progress and improvement of healthy physical condition through physical activity in older adults. The objective was to analyze and study the effects of a physical conditioning program that benefits health and quality of life in elderly. The Methodology was based on a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design, using a single experimental group (GE) receiving an intervention program on physical activity adapted to age and physical condition peculiarities of the participants, with 3 measurement sessions. The evaluation instrument was represented by the Senior Fitness Test (Rikli & Jones, 2012). Among the main results, statistically significant interaction was found for all the measured variables, with values lower than (p d».05) in the variables of Agility, Balance, Flexibility in lower limbs, Flexibility in upper limbs, Strength in upper extremities, Resistance and Speed of March. As a conclusion, this 12-week program of physical activity, with a frequency of three 60-min sessions per week, determines positive changes in physical variables of older adults from the northern region of Mexico.