Abstract

Population aging is a growing phenomenon worldwide, particularly with a significant increase in the population aged 80 and over, a group characterized by a greater predisposition to sedentary lifestyles and marked physiological declines. In this context, low-cost strategies, such as home-based strength training, can help maintain health and functional autonomy. The study aimed to verify the effects of a period of home-based strength training on functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, and resting blood pressure in an octogenarian. This is a retrospective case report involving an 84-year-old male participant who is hypertensive and sedentary. Anthropometric measurements, resting blood pressure, and functional capacity were assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. The training protocol was conducted at home, three times a week, for 24 weeks, using full-body circuit training exercises with resistance bands, dumbbells, and ankle weights. Following the intervention period, improvements in functional fitness were observed, with increased performance in strength, flexibility, agility, and aerobic endurance tests, as well as a reduction in anthropometric measurements and resting blood pressure. In conclusion, this case study showed that home-based strength training was associated with improvements in functional, anthropometric, and cardiovascular parameters in an octogenarian. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as they refer to a single participant.

Keywords

Aging, Functional Capacity, Hypertension, Strength Training,

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