EFEITOS DO TREINAMENTO FUNCIONAL NA APTIDÃO FÍSICA DE IDOSOS: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.7641225130515

• Palavras-chave: Exercício físico. Aptidão física. Aptidão cardiorrespiratória. Idosos. Envelhecimento saudável.

• Keywords: Exercise. Physical fitness. Cardiorespiratory fitness. Aged. Healthy aging.

• Abstract: The present study aimed to identify, analyze, and systematize the existing studies that evaluated the effects of functional training (FT) on the physical fitness of older adults. This is a qualitative study, employing bibliographic research, specifically an integrative review. The searches were conducted in the SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), and Google Scholar databases between August and October 2024. The descriptors used were: “Idoso” AND “treinamento funcional” AND “aptidão física” OR “forma física” OR “habilidade física” OR “força” OR “flexibilidade” OR “resistência muscular”. Only studies available in full, in Portuguese, and published in the last five years were included. Furthermore, only original studies were considered, excluding bibliographic reviews, editorials, letters to the editor, and any type of non-original publication. After applying the eligibility criteria, a total of seven articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Collectively, these articles confirm that FT is effective in improving the physical fitness of older adults. In particular, they highlighted significant improvements in strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance. However, significant changes were not observed in body composition. Thus, it is suggested that FT should be widely applied in associations, social/cultural projects, as well as in health promotion and prevention centers serving the older adult population, as a strategy for improving physical fitness and, consequently, health and quality of life.