EFFECTS OF A 12-WEEK STRENGTH AND BALANCE EXERCISE PROGRAM ON FUNCTIONAL FITNESS OF OLDER MEN

Abstract

For the majority of mature adults, the maintenance of independent functioning, intact cognitive abilities, and good mental status could be the most important achievements in late life. Functional fitness is defined as the physical capacity to perform daily activities independently and without the appearance of fatigue. Functional fitness can be measured using the Senior Fitness Test – SFT. The experimental group consisted of 30 men mean age 76,9±6,27. Participants completed a 12-week strength and balance exercise program. The participants were evaluated before and after completing the exercise program for lower- and upper-body strength, aerobic endurance, lower- and upper-body flexibility, agility and dynamic balance. To determine the changes in particular parameters, paired samples T-test was used. The statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Statistically significant improvements were found in all tests.