Efeitos de um programa de exercícios resistidos na composição corporal de adultos e idosos

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is essential for maintaining health, especially in adults and the elderly, positively influencing body composition. Resistance exercise is an effective modality for promoting improvements in lean mass and reducing body fat, contributing to functionality and quality of life. Objective: To verify the effect of a 12-week resistance exercise program on body composition in adults and the elderly. Method: Uncontrolled intervention study with 21 participants (15 women and 6 men), carried out for 12 weeks with two weekly resistance exercise sessions. Body composition was assessed by anthropometry and predictive equations. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests (paired t and Wilcoxon). Results: There was a significant reduction in abdominal circumference (p=0,015), fat percentage (p=0,003), and absolute fat (p=0,027), in addition to an increase in lean body mass (p=0,014). Conclusions: The resistance exercise program promoted significant improvements in body composition, even with reduced weekly frequency, demonstrating its effectiveness in promoting the health of adults and the elderly and potentially supporting public health initiatives focused on active aging.