Unit:
Department of Physical Education & Sport ScienceLibrary of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science
Author:
ARGYRIS EVANGELOS
Supervisors info:
ΚΟΣΚΟΛΟΥ ΜΑΡΙΑ, ΑΝΑΠΛΗΡΩΤΡΙΑ, ΣΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ.
Original Title:
Βελτίωση της Μυϊκής Ευρωστίας στην τρίτη ηλικία.
Translated title:
Improving Muscle Strength in seniors.
Summary:
Aging is the most important medical and socio-demographic problem worldwide, since the elderly are the least physically active of all age groups. This literature review aimed to gather scientific knowledge to promote the adoption and observance of an exercise behavior by elderly people, with the aim of improving muscle strength. Conclusions of reviews of studies in recent years have shown that exercise and physical activity offer clinical benefits for a large list of diseases and disabilities, across the age range. Resistance and body weight exercises can be an effective way to reduce the effects of aging and improve muscle function. Resistance training can increase muscle strength and power in elderly patients, protecting them from negative effects. Specifically, moderate-intensity resistance training can cause an increase in protein synthesis and therefore muscle mass in the elderly. Improving muscle strength appears to improve posture more effectively than balance training. Combining resistance training with aerobic exercise clearly improves fitness, flexibility and static balance. A combined program with resistance and balance exercises enhances the self-confidence of the elderly and reduces the incidence of falls. The most common barriers to physical activity are the elderly's lack of time and motivation. The contribution of muscle strength to longevity is now indisputable and for this reason intervention strategies are considered necessary to increase muscle strength and functional capacity in elderly patients.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Elderly, muscle strength, resistance training, posture.
