Abstract des Autors

The aim of the study was to define a basis for physical activity in the elderly to which "standardised" variations in terms of both intensity and the type of exercise could then be added. The study involved 20 subjects in suitable physical conditions who underwent a preliminary medical examination, as well as instrumental and laboratory tests. Body composition was evaluated using multifrequency impedance measurement; the aerobic resistance test was performed on a moving belt; the quantitative evaluation of myoarticular function was performed using isokinetic dynamometry, whereas the flexibility of muscles in the posterior kinetic chain was evaluated using specifically designed postural tests. The study included twelve sessions a month (with an average of three sessions a week) for a total of four consecutive months. Compared to the basal tests, the results showed significant increases in the parameters used to evaluate body composition in both males and females; changes in basal heart rate and after exercise showed the same level of significance in both males and females, although mean arterial pressure diminished quite significantly in the latter after the training cycle. The level of cardiorespiratory fitness expressed in MET was decisively increased in the two groups whereas discordant results were obtained in the two groups with regard to increased capacity to work and fatigue index; the latter appeared in males in the flexor knee muscles and in the extensor muscles in females. The most significant increase in muscle strength was obtained in extensor knee muscles in the males. Joint mobility tests showed a significant fall in the index of positivity confirming the increased capacity of plasticity and elasticity induced by postural elongation techniques. The results also highlight a significant increase in both muscular and organic working capacity after the training cycle. In operative terms, the best results were achieved in this study by integrating psychomotor exercise, isokinetic exercise and postural techniques performed using Mezieres method. The integration of these three methods enabled an effective muscular and articular re-equilibrium to be achieved which, owing to the correlations between posture, structure and function, must be the guide to the prevention and treatment of muscular retraction and joint stiffness frequently found in elderly patients. Verf.-Referat