PHYSICAL FITNESS AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY OF MASTERS ATHLETES ACCORDING TO THREE LEVELS OF ENERGY EXPENDITURE

The aim of this study was to compare the physical fitness and functional capacity of masters athletes based on three energy expenditure levels (METs).Methods: Ninety-one masters athletes from Santos, SP, of both sexes, who practice high-intensity sports (HI) (> 6.5 METs: swimming, adapted volleyball, track and field and tennis); moderate-intensity sports (MI) (4-6.5 METs: choreography, ballroom dancing and table tennis); and low-intensity exercises (LI) (< 4 METs: chess, shuffleboard, bocce, dominoes, checkers and gin rummy) physical fitness were evaluated.Results: Right and left handgrip strength was higher in the MI group; the best results on average in vertical thrust (18.0 cm), getting up from a chair in 30 seconds (19.2 repetitions) and static balance (29.3 seconds) occurred in the HI group; flexibility in the MI and HI groups ranged from 27.4 to 25.8 cm without significant differences; stationary gait in the HI group averaged 135.6 repetitions; in the Shuttle run the MI and HI groups had the shortest time on average, 15.8 and 15.7 seconds respectively, with significant differences.Conclusion: Masters athletes who practice sports in HI have greater flexibility, balance, agility and aerobic power compared to LI practitioners, indicating better health, physical fitness and functional capacity.Ke-