Effects of a Physical Exercise Program on the Physical Capacities of Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study

PURPOSE: To measure the effects of an exercise program on the physical capacities of older adults such as strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study on a population of 5550 older adults and a sample of 4830 participants in an active aging program designed by the Municipal Health Secretary. The exercise program lasted 12 months, and pre-and post-program intervention measures were recorded using the senior fitness test. RESULTS: Most participants were women (92.4%) and their mean age was 70.7 years (standard deviation, 7.3 years; range, 60–97 years). All areas showed significant differences before and after the program in terms of the participants’ physical capabilities (p < 0.05), muscular strength and flexibility had a more significant mean difference and a large effect (>0.80), except for aerobic capacity, which had a small effect. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that a supervised physical exercise program at the community level has positive effects on the physical capacities of coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, and aerobic capacity, which are essential components for a better functional capacity at this stage of life, with improvements that encompassed the improved self-perception of their health status, a reduction of overweight and obesity. The reinforcement of these programs is recommended, consequently, promoting pre-sport games and sports championships among the elderly population, as a public health strategy.