Effects of walking in muscleskeletical system - study of flexibility

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the effect of program of physical exercise - walking - in healthy, previously sedentary old people, in flexibility. A program of low to moderate intensity physical training (walking) were developed and tested, As well a protocol to classify and assess the evolution of flexibility. The study was carried out with 20 people (10 in experimental group - A, and 10 in control group - B) aged in average 68,6 years, active in their communities, and free from significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological or muscle disfunction, or from chronic diseases that might affect the ability to practice exercises. The training happened for four months, in twice-weekly sessions of one hour, reaching 40% to 70% of estimated maximum heart rate. At the end of the four-month training all participants had their flexibility evaluated (post-test). Training have brought flexibility clinical and statistical improvement.