OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different physical exercise protocols on body composition and body density in individuals over years-old in São Carlos (SP), Brazil.
METHODS: The study consisted of 81 volunteers (51 women and 30 men), who were equally divided into three groups: multicomponent training group, resistance training group and control group, which was not submitted to any intervention. The protocols lasted six months. Fat percentage, waist circumference and body mass index were collected before the intervention period and after six months. Statistical analysis was conducted using software MINITAB.
RESULTS: The Anova single factor showed no significant difference between the groups in any variable, however the test power was low. Using paired t-test to determine differences between the first and the second assessments within each group, we found a significant decrease of body mass index in women from multicomponent group and waist circumference in women from the resistance group. A two sample t-test demonstrated only significant difference between genders at the same group in fat percentage, with high values in women for all groups.
CONCLUSION: The present study showed long term effects of multicomponent and resistance protocols. Both protocols were able to maintain body composition and body density in six months in senescent individuals; however an additional nutritional intervention and the use of more sophisticated assessments could enhance the benefits.</p
