Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether functional exercise improved postural stability and body composition in female subjects over 60 years of age.
Methods: Thirty women participated in this study, after being medically qualified for a 3-month functional exercise program. They underwent a series of tests twice, once before starting this functional exercise program, and once again after completing it. These tests consisted of anthropometric examination, stabilometry tests on a Biodex Balance System SD (BBS), and body composition analysis using a Tanita BC420 SMA.
Results: The results indicated an improvement in balance parameters among the group of participants between the first test and the second. Statistically significant differences were found in the results of the Postural Stability Test (PST) in static position without visual control protocols and the Fall Risk Test (FRT). In addition, a statistically significant reduction in body weight of 1.16 kg was noted, together with an associated decrease in BMI of 0.35. In terms of body content parameters, the participants' fat content was found to be significantly reduced, by approximately 1.26%. A Wilcoxon test also found a statistically significant (p=0.00002) increase in the content of muscle tissue between the first test and the second.
Conclusion: The regime of functional training used in this study has a positive impact on the health of elderly females, helping to counteract involutional changes that lead to body imbalance and decreased muscle mass. Further research should seek to further optimize such a regime in this regard.