Effects Of An Exercise Intervention On Body Fat And Functional Performance In A Low-resourced Community

Physical performance in older adults is associated with independent living and is maintained through regular aerobic and resistance exercises. In low-to-middle-income countries, low levels of physical activity and high levels of obesity prevail. The presence of these risk factors results in low functional performance. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a supervised exercise intervention on body fat and functional performance in a low-resource setting in South Africa. METHODS: From 201 recruited participants, 172 women (59.38 ± 12.71 years) were assigned to either 24 weeks of supervised exercise training (n = 95, intervention group), once a week for 60 minutes or standard clinic care (n = 77, control group). The intervention included progressive aerobic, muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises. Percentage body fat was calculated from skinfold measures and cardiorespiratory fitness with direct oxygen consumption (VO2max) during an eight-minute step test. Functional performance were assessed with the sit-to-stand, handgrip (HG), timed-up-and-go (TUG), and static balance tests. Linear mixed models determine the exercise effect on the outcome variables from baseline to 12- and 24-weeks post-exercise intervention compared to the control group. RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness improved significantly from baseline to 12- weeks (17.9 ± 0.715 ml/min/kg to 23.921 ± 22.192 ml/min/kg; p < 0.05) post-intervention. The TUG test also improved significantly from baseline (21.172 ± 1.141 sec) to 12-weeks post-intervention (17.021 ± 0.694 sec; p < 0,05). Body fat percentage, handgrip strength and balance showed non-significant improvement. Additional improvements in all variables were not found in the intervention group compared to the standard clinic care group at 24 weeks post the supervised exercise intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A supervised exercise intervention in a low-resourced setting improved cardiovascular fitness and agility in older women within 12 weeks. No further gains were observed for longer interventions, and participant drop-out rates increased. Future research should focus on sustainable exercise interventions in low-resourced communities to maintain functional performance in older women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PACTR201609001771813 Funded by the North-West University