Treinamento de força no idoso: efeitos sobre a sarcopenia

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable and gradual process during lifespan. Detrimental effects of the aging process include anatomic and functional dysfunction, especially with muscular loss. This aging condition presented by losing muscle and strength is defined as sarcopenia. Systematic strength training in elders could promote gain of muscle strength and flexibility. Based on that information, this study establishes a relationship between strength training and the benefits of that training to minimize sarcopenia. A literature review was performed throughout national and international papers and books subject related. Recent 49 articles published after 2010 were selected in several data bases like Capes, Scielo, Medline, Lilacs and Google academics. One of them were selected as a baseline for this study: Silva e Farinatti (2007), and recent periodic were used to compare the results. Therefore was observed that exercise of medium intensity with 80% of one maximal repetition test (1RM), during three series and three times a week obtained the most satisfactory results in elders. However, efficiency in this training program depends on several variables like number of series, repetition, frequency and weekly training, strength level, series intervals and exercises sequences. In conclusion, strength training must be part of a general physical training in elders due to minimize sarcopenia (muscle atrophy and decrease of muscle strength), however further studies should be conducted in order to approach and compare all variables that interfere in strength training in elders.