Long term physical activity in a fitness centre preserve functional decrease in fit, independent and frail elderly men.

Extensive knowledge exist about the role of physical activity in health promotion for elderly people with chronic conditions but, most of these studies, were conducted in clinical or laboratorial settings. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of a training in a Fitness Centre for senior with chronic illnesses. One hundred-twenty-one elderly, 54 females and 67 males (age 65.4±7.83 years, BMI 27.3±4.76 kg/m2) have been involved (2/3 times/week, 90 min per session) in a fitness center at University of Verona. The training was set up according to ACSM, ATS/ERS, ADA and AHA guidelines. Physical performances in endurance, strength, flexibility and balance were assessed at baseline and after about 10 months. Sixteen subjects dropped out for disease and eight people have stopped training before the final evaluation. We show men’s results divided in “Independent-Fit group” (SF) (19 subjects), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease group (COPD) (8 subjects), Cardiovascular group (CV) (10 subjects) and Diabetes group (D) (7 subjects). During the PA program, no accident occurred. Training attendance was 77.04%±12.15. Absences because illness were significantly more frequent in COPD and CV than SF and D groups (p<0.05). After 10 months, subjects showed a significant enhancement in Strength (Leg press 8%, p<0.05; Leg extension 9.1%, p<0.01; Chest press 9.9%, p<0.01) and Flexibility (Sit&Reach = 15.2%; p<0.01). SF increase in 6’Walking Test (7.20%, p<0.01). Improvement in Endurance, Biceps curl, Shoulder Flexibility and Balance were observed, without a statistical significance. High prevalence of illness reduces attendance and, accordingly, improvements in COPD-CV's groups, particularly. It’s necessary modify endurance training to improve results in this field. Nevertheless, overall the program seems to improve health-related motor skills.