Resistance training program on functional independence of a elderly man with frontotemporal dementia: a case report

Borba-Pinheiro CJ, de Figueiredo NMA, Walsh-Monteiro A, Junior ORMR, Pernambuco CS, Oliveira MA, Dantas EHM. Resistance training program on functional independence of a elderly man with frontotemporal dementia: a case report. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc2, pp. S47-S53, 2013. To investigate the effects of a resistance training program on muscular strength, functional autonomy and body composition of an elderly man with frontotemporal dementia, was the objective of this study. A male volunteer with 80 years of age and 75.7 kg of body weight was participant of this study. The cerebral atrophy of temporal lobes was diagnosed by a Computer Tomography Scan. To evaluation of muscle strength the 10RM test (repetition maximum), for functional autonomy the protocol of the Latin American Development to Maturity Group – (GDLAM) and body composition determined by Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were used. The training period of four months consisted of eight exercises with intensity of 65% to 90% of 10RM, with three sessions weekly of the 60 min/session. The student t test was used. Statistical improvement was observed for % fat (Δ% = -2.93%, p = 0.041), for exercises of leg press 45 ° (Δ% = 48%, p = 0.001), horizontal leg press (Δ% = 18%, p = 0.01) and knee extension (Δ% = 12%, p = 0.04). In addition, the put on and remove a t-shirt test (Δ% = -7.19%, p = 0.018) and the GDLAM Index (Δ% = -8.53%, p = 0.014) of functional autonomy. It is concluded that the resistance training program was effective for the case study, as improved functional autonomy, the muscle strength of the legs, and the fat percentage of the volunteer.