Chronic effects of different stretching methods on functional capacity in sedentary older adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.9789/2175-5361.rpcfo.v18.14858Keywords:
Aging, Muscle stretching exercises, Functional status, AgedAbstract
Objective: to investigate the chronic effects of static and dynamic stretching on the functional capacity of sedentary older adults. Methods: randomized clinical trial including 30 sedentary older adults (≥60 years), allocated into three groups: control, static stretching, and dynamic stretching. Functional capacity was assessed using the GDLAM protocol before and after 14 weeks of intervention. Results: both stretching methods significantly improved functional capacity, with a reduction in the general index in the static stretching group (29.09 ± 2.09 vs. 25.08 ± 1.60; p = 0.013) and in the dynamic stretching group (24.92 ± 0.87 vs. 22.37 ± 0.84; p = 0.011), with no significant changes in the control group. Dynamic stretching showed better functional performance at the end of the intervention. Conclusion: both static and dynamic stretching improved functional capacity, with better final performance observed in the dynamic stretching group.
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