Impact of a public physical activity program on the physical profile of older adults in Cali-Colombia
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Physical activity in older adults, depending on its frequency, intensity, and structure, yields favourable outcomes in mobility, mental agility, and overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of structured physical activity programs on the physical profile of older adults. Methods: A longitudinal repeated-measures design was conducted with 236 female participants aged 60 to 94, divided into two groups: short-term follow-up (6 weeks) and long-term follow-up (47 and 48 weeks). Results: Anthropometric evaluation revealed significant differences in weight and abdominal circumference among the short-term group, with moderate to high reductions (r = 0.766 for abdominal circumference; d = –0.311 for weight). In contrast, 50% of the participants in the long-term group showed moderate increases in these variables, in both frequency and upward trend. Functional capacity assessment using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) showed small to moderate improvements in five of the six tests for the short-term group. However, in the second measurement, the walking time test revealed a deterioration in agility and functional speed. In the long-term group, lower-body flexibility improved, but a significant decline was observed in walking distance by the end of the evaluation (d = –0.687). While the program demonstrated positive potential, its overall impact was moderate in the short term and mild in the long term. Therefore, a structural redesign is recommended to promote sustained benefits, particularly by enhancing muscular strength as a key factor in functional autonomy during aging.
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