Effects of a Physical Exercise Program on the Physical Capacities of Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Purpose: To measure the effects of an exercise program on the physical capacities of older adults such as strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity. Patients and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study on a population of 5550 older adults and a sample of 4830 participants in an active aging program designed by the Municipal Health Secretary. The exercise program lasted 12 months, and pre-and post-program intervention measures were recorded using the senior fitness test. Results: Most participants were women (92.4%) and their mean age was 70.7 years (standard deviation, 7.3 years; range, 60-97 years). All areas showed significant differences before and after the program in terms of the participants' physical capabilities (p < 0.05), muscular strength and flexibility had a more significant mean difference and a large effect (>0.80), except for aerobic capacity, which had a small effect. Conclusion: The present study revealed that a supervised physical exercise program at the community level has positive effects on the physical capacities of coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, and aerobic capacity, which are essential components for a better functional capacity at this stage of life, with improvements that encompassed the improved self-perception of their health status, a reduction of overweight and obesity. The reinforcement of these programs is recommended, consequently, promoting pre-sport games and sports championships among the elderly population, as a public health strategy.

Characterization of dance-based protocols used in rehabilitation - A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of dance-based intervention protocols as a rehabilitation proposal. METHOD: Papers containing protocols used in adult patients and written in Spanish, English, and Portuguese were collected using the following keywords: Physical Therapy; Dance Therapy; Rehabilitation; and Clinical Trial Protocol. The PUBMED, MEDLINE, LILACS, BVS ScienceDirect, PEDro, OTseeker, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Scopus databases were used for the collection of information to define the type of dance, the established protocol, pathologies, and the population involved. RESULTS: 70 studies met the eligibility criteria, all of which presented a dance protocol. This was used in the rehabilitation of pathologies covering the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems, as well as in a healthy population. Positive results were the main outcome measure. DISCUSSION: Dance is an innovative intervention strategy for patients with comorbidities or underlying pathologies as well as for those in good health. It offers, without limitations, a field of applicability through the use of a dancing style as a rehabilitation process, generating significant changes in the physical, mental, and social skills of the individual.

Modelo de gestión sostenible en la atención comunitaria del adulto mayor / Sustainable management model for community care of the elderly

Introducción: el envejecimiento es un proceso progresivo, heterogéneo, multisistémico, multidimensional; con tendencia al aumento a nivel global asociado a la longevidad y conversión de la pirámide poblacional, en efecto el municipio de Santiago de Cali propende por una cultura de envejecimiento contemplando acciones integrales orientadas a la promoción, protección y desarrollo de potencialidades de los adultos mayores. Objetivo: formular una propuesta de gestión en intervención integral sostenible en el tiempo, para la atención comunitaria del adulto mayor basado en la política de envejecimiento y vejez; articulado con los proyectos, planes y estrategias establecidos para el fomento de una longevidad activa y saludable. Métodos: se presenta un estudio de caso dónde se propone el diseño de un modelo de gestión integral basado en estrategias diagnosticas preliminares, desarrollo y promoción de elementos que contemplan la actividad física, deporte y recreación. Resultados: se efectúa un diagnóstico evidenciando la intervención y articulación de diferentes actores que convergen en la formulación e implementación de estrategias, a partir del análisis de acciones, basado en un modelo metodológico a corto, mediano y largo plazo; estableciendo a su vez planes y programas con procesos sostenibles en el tiempo, que proporcionen herramientas a las necesidades presentes en el contexto. Conclusiones: se deben generar modelos de gestión que estructuren procesos que optimicen el recurso territorial y continuidad de las acciones en pro del envejecimiento activo de la administración municipal(AU)

Introduction: aging is a progressive, heterogeneous, multisystemic, multidimensional process with a tendency toward a worldwide increase associated to longevity and inversion of the population pyramid. In the municipality of Santiago de Cali an aging culture is fostered which incorporates comprehensive actions aimed at the promotion, protection and development of the potential capacities of the elderly. Objective: develop a proposal for comprehensive intervention management sustainable in time for community care of the elderly based on the aging and old age policy and articulated with the projects, plans and strategies set up to promote active, healthy longevity. Methods: a case study is presented in which a design is proposed for a comprehensive management model based on preliminary diagnostic strategies and the development and promotion of elements such as physical activity, sports and recreation. Results: a diagnosis is conducted which makes evident the intervention and articulation of different actors converging on the formulation and implementation of strategies starting from the analysis of actions and based on a short-, medium- and long-term methodological model. Plans and programs are also set up which incorporate processes sustainable in time providing tools to address the current needs in this context. Conclusions: management models should be developed which structure processes optimizing the territorial resources and the continuity of actions implemented by the municipal(AU) administration to foster active aging.