Comparison of Different Concurrent Training on Physical Performance and Components of Body Composition in Elderly

Introduction and Aging is an inevitable process accompanied with a reduction in ability to perform daily living activities and a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this study was to compare different methods of concurrent training on physical performance and components of body composition among inactive elderly women. Forty volunteers and inactive elderly women participated in this quasi-experimental study. Participants were randomly assigned into 4 groups including resistance- endurance training (n = 10), endurance- resistance training (n = 9), interval training (n = 12) and controls (n = 9). The experimental groups participated in a 6-week exercise program consisting of 3 sessions per week. One-way ANOVA and t-test were conducted to determine significant changes within and between groups, respectively. The results indicated no significant changes between experimental groups after 8 weeks in the body fat (p = 0.08), waist hip ratio (p = 0.55), upper body strength (p = 0.07), systolic (p = 0.28) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.15). However, a significant reduction was observed in weight (p = 0.02), waist circumference (p = 0.01), hip circumference (p = 0.017), body mass index (p = 0.03), Vo2max (p = 0.03) and lower body strength (p = 0.001). According to results from this study it can be concluded that elderly women may benefit from advantages of concurrent training accordingly.