Effects of a 12-week supervised resistance training on quality of life and physical fitness in older adults: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to examine the effects of a 12-week resistance training (RT) programme on HRQoL scores and physical fitness components. One hundred and fourteen older adults aged between 60 and 70 years were recruited (mean ± SD; age = 66.2 ± 3.0 years; 48.2% women) and randomly assigned to RT (n = 57; age = 66.0 ± 2.9 years; 48.5% women) or control (CON; n = 57; age = 66.4 ± 3.1 years; 47.9% women) groups. Baseline and follow-up data included Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaire, and Senior Fitness Test. No significant differences in outcome variables between the two groups were observed (p>.05). After a 12-week intervention, RT group improved physical (80.5%, ES = 4.7), psychological (60.2%, ES = 3.0), social (39.1%, ES = 1.5), and environmental (51.7%, ES = 3.9) components of HRQoL. Over the 12 weeks, RT group decreased body-mass index (-9.7%, ES = -0.4), fat mass percentage (-11.4%, ES = -0.6), and visceral fat (-17.2%, ES = -0.8) and increased muscle mass percentage (13.2%, ES = 1.0), muscular (20.9% and 12.4%, ES = 0.7 and 0.4) and cardiorespiratory fitness (7.2%, ES = 0.2), flexibility (62.5% and 34.6%, ES = 0.3), and agility (-14.8%, ES = -1.0). No significant time changes in the CON group were observed. A 12-week RT programme increases HRQoL and overall physical performance in older adults, making RT an effective intervention method for improving broad-spectrum HRQoL and physical fitness components.

Keywords: geriatrics; intervention; physical performance; quality of life; strength training