Effectiveness of Different Physical Activity Programs in Improving Older Adults' Physical Capacities: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Carolina Alexandra Cabo^1,2,3,4*Víctor Hernández-Beltrán⁵Orlando De Fernandes^2,6Cláudia Mendes^2,6,7JOSÉ M. GAMONALES^5,8,9Mário Cunha Espada^10,11,2,3,4Jose A Parraca^2,6*

• ¹Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, University of Evora, Évora, Portugal
• ²Comprehensive Health Research Centre, University of Evora, Évora, Portugal
• ³Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politecnico de Setubal (IPS), Setúbal, Portugal
• ⁴Sport Physical activity and health Research & Innovation Center (SPRINT), Rio Maior, Santarém, Portugal
• ⁵Group of Optimization of the Training and the Sport Performance, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
• ⁶1 Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
• ⁷CBIOS, Universidade Lusófona Research Center for Biosciences & Health Technologies, Lisbon, Portugal
• ⁸Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Extremadura, Extremadura, Spain
• ⁹Doctorate Program in Education and Technology, Distance University of Madrid, Madrid, Asturias, Spain
• ¹⁰Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), Setubal, Portugal
• ¹¹CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

Introduction: As people age, maintaining physical fitness becomes essential for preserving independence, preventing falls, and improving overall quality of life. Physical activity (PA) mitigates the physical decline associated with aging, enhancing balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination. Effective exercise programs for older people should address age-related physical challenges while remaining safe and accessible. Objective: This study aims to identify the most effective PA program to enhance the physical capacities of older people. By comparing training modalities such as Pilates, Aqua Aerobic, and Sensorimotor training, the study evaluates their impact on key physical abilities to determine the optimal program for promoting functional independence and reducing injury risk in older people. Methods: This study examined 153 participants, divided into a Control Group (N=44), Sensorimotor Group (N=46), Aqua Aerobic Group (N=41), and Pilates Group (N=22). Over a 24-week intervention, physical capacities were assessed using the Rikli and Jones battery for strength and flexibility and the timed-up-and-go test for agility and speed. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention. To analyze the changes, we used Student's T-test and Cohen's d for effect size (ES), with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Additionally, ANOVA was applied to examine the main effects of time, group, and their interaction, with Partial Eta Squared used to determine the effect size (ES) in these comparisons. Results: The Sensorimotor Group showed significant gains in all tests (p<0.05), while the Aqua Aerobic Group showed improvements in the Stand and Sit with and without Leaning (p<0.001), Forearm Flexion (p=0.005), and Reach Behind your Back (p=0.002). In contrast, the Control and Pilates Groups did not exhibit significant improvements in any of the assessed variables. The analysis of the moment*group interaction effect revealed significant differences among the groups, except for the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Conclusions: In conclusion, sensorimotor and aquatic training significantly improved physical function, especially balance, strength, and mobility, in older people.