Physical Activity Effects in Elderly Female: Evaluation through Six-minute Walking Test

Study aim. Aerobic capacity is very important for elderly. Daily living activities, such as walking, doing houseworks and shopping, require a good strength, but also a good aerobic endurance. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of regular training activity on a typical daily action, such as deambulation. Material and methods. Twenty-six volunteer elderly women randomly divided into two groups, group II (age = 64,5 ± 3,58 years, weight = 61,67 ± 4,25 kg, height = 1,62 ± 0,04 m; BMI = 23,67 ± 1,79 kg m-2), group I (age = 65,21 ± 4,59 years, weight = 63,36 ± 7,59 kg, height = 1,62 ± 0,06 m; BMI = 24,1 ± 1,98 kg m-2) participated in this study. Groups performed endurance training for eight weeks (2 days per week, 1 hour each, for experimental group II; 1 day per week, 1 hour each, for experimental group I). Exercises involved in many possibilities of physical expression to keeping all body in motion for at least 30 min. During the second 30 min exercises for abdominal and lower limb muscles were proposed.The physical efficacy was tested through 6 min walking test. Results. After the training all people increased the distance in the test. Group II participants significantly improved their distance (pre-training = 636.25 m, post-training = 673.75 m). Group I reported also improvements (pre = 568.21 m; post = 600 m), but with a minor level of significance. Conclusions. Specific regular physical activity provides significant benefits adopting two sessions per week but it is also important do not underestimate the possibility, where people can not, of a one training session per week. Regular and adequate levels of physical activity allow to improve daily living activity helping the elderly to keep their autonomy as long as possible.