Increasing Functional Performance in Older Women

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate differential effects of a 16-week protocol where participants were randomized into a strength-training (ST) group, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) training group, and a control group. Six physical outcome measures were assessed using the Senior Fitness Test, pre and post study, across ninety women in an assisted living community. A series of repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant group × time interactions across the six physical domains measured (p ≤ .01). Post hoc analysis indicated that ST and ADL groups improved significantly more than the control group across each physical domain. The ST group also outperformed the ADL group in the 30 Second Chair Stand and 30 second arm curl. The key finding is that it is important to incorporate both strength and ADL training sessions because both facilitated significant improvements across all six fitness domains above and beyond controls.