Programa de entrenamiento recreativo en base al fútbol para la funcionalidad física del adulto mayor

Abstract

The physical funtionality refers to the ability to carry out daily activities autonomously in the environment. The recreational football offers a modern approach that encourage both social cohesion and the practice of physical activity, key factors to improve or maintain this functionality. Therefore, the objective of this Project was to determine the effects of a recreational training program in the physical functionality of elderly. The sample included 30 elderly between 67 and 82 years old, who belong to “San Juan de Agua Santa” community in Pujili Canton. All participated in a training program based on football, which was developed during 12 weeks with a frequency of three times a week. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention thought the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery and the Lawton and Brody escalation. During the training, the exercises were adapted incorporating technical, recreational and physical components, with simple and combined exercises, both with and without a ball. Each week, the number of repetitions, the difficulty and the time of the activities were gradually increased. Fort he stadistical analysis, the SPSS program was used. The results show significant improvements in the physical functionality of elderly who reach high and moderate levels of physical functionality. In addition, changes were observed in the levels of performance in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. It concludes that the recreational training program base don football is beneficial to improve the physical functionality of elderly since it strengthens their physical capacities leading to a better performance in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. These areas are closely related, since physical functionality is essential to optimally execute daily tasks that require strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance and agility.