Abstract

LIMA, Hélia Cristina Oliveira; AGUIAR, Jaina Bezerra de; PAREDES, Paulo Fernando Machado  and  GURGE, Luilma Albuquerque. Evaluation of the benefits of gymnastic in the posture and flexibility of old women. Rev. Bras. Educ. Fís. Esporte [online]. 2010, vol.24, n.04, pp.525-534. ISSN 1981-4690.

Ageing is associated with postural alterations and a decrease in flexibility, which results in pain and functional impairment among elders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program, conducted during two months, in the posture and flexibility of old women (n = 10, age = 60-75). The posture was evaluated by symetrographic techniques, digital photography and the sagital pelvic balance test, and the flexibility through the sit-and-reach test. Five participants showed alterations in their postures. We verify the reduction of the pelvic retroversion and a significant increase (p < 0.001) in flexibility. We conclude that a gymnastics program is capable of correct some postural alterations of old women due to flexibility improvements.

Keywords : Health of the Elderly; Exercise; Amplitude of Articular Movements.

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