Resumen de Effects of 4 Weeks of Active Exergames Training on Muscular Fitness in Elderly Women
Cristian Gallardo-Meza, Kristel Simon, Natalia Bustamante Ara, Rodrigo Ramírez Campillo, Felipe García Pinillos, Justin W. L. Keogh, Mikel Izquierdo
To analyze the effects of 4 weeks of an active exergames training program on muscular fitness in older women, 2 groups of community dwelling physically active subjects were formed by block-design randomization. One was deemed the control group (CG, n = 37; age 68.1 +/- 3.3 years), and a second group completed 4 weeks of an active exergames training program (ExG, n = 35; age, 69.2 +/- 3.7 years). Training included active exergames (Wii Fit Plus) performed on the Wii Balanceboard, 2 sessions per week. The exergames required mainly balance-related movements, such as leaning forward, leftward, and rightward, also requiring isometric squat positions and explosive leg extension. A supervisor-to-subject ratio method of 2:1 was used. An intensity-based individual progressive overload was applied. There were no significant (all p > 0.05, d = 0.01-0.07) baseline differences between-groups for all dependent variables. For the ExG, significant improvements were observed in static balance right leg test ([DELTA]75.5%, d = 0.89), static balance left leg ([DELTA]33.7%, d = 0.57), timed up-and-go test ([DELTA]14.8%, d = 0.85) and sit-to-stand velocity test ([DELTA]83.8%, d = 1.62). For the control group, trivial to small decrements in performance were observed across all tests ([DELTA] -2.1 to -8.4%, d = -0.08 to 0.32). Group x time interactions were observed for the static balance right and left leg, timed up-and-go test, and the mean velocity achieved in the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (all p < 0.001; d = 0.33-0.60). In conclusion, exergames training improves muscular fitness in older women. These results should be considered when designing appropriate and better exercise training programs for older wome
