Predictive factors of functional mobility in older women after 12 weeks of resistance training

Abstract

To analyze the association between functional mobility and anthropometric and functional characteristics of older women after 12 weeks of resistance training. METHODS: Forty-seven community-dwelling older women underwent 12 weeks of supervised resistance training twice a week. The dependent variable (mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go test) and the independent variables (age, body mass index, fat-free mass of the lower limbs, waist circumference, peak knee torque at 60º/s, peak knee torque at 180º/s, functional reach test, and 30-second chair stand test) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis showed that age, body mass index, waist circumference, and the 30-second stand test predicted 30% (R2 = 0.30; p = 0.001; F = 5.53) of the total variance regarding an improvement in mobility after resistance training (p < 0.0001; [95% CI 0.72–1.20]; the effect size was considered large [0.90]) when comparing women before and after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Age, body mass index, waist circumference, and the 30-second stand test predicted 30% of the increase in functional mobility.