T test vs categorical analysis: evolution of agility in older adults following two years of training

Abstract

Abstrat. Exercise training does not ensure functional independence among elders, neither detraining means to lose it, so 4 categories where designed in order to analyse the long-term effects of a multicomponent physical-cognitive training program over their users’ functional independence. A total of 25 healthy elders (69.74±5.36 years old) were assessed during two years, including 2 periods of training (T1, T2; 8 months each one) and detraining (D1, D2; 3 months + 1 of testing). Agility (Time Up&Go Test) was analysed because of its relationship with gait and fall-prevention. The exact Fisher’s test was considered to analzse between-period category changes, followed by a Repeated Measures ANOVA, to compare the results in both approaches. Although agility showed significant improvements following training, larger in T1 compared to T2, the percentage of independent participants was higher in T2. In terms of detraining, paired comparison showed larger losses during D2. However, more than half of participants reached the physical independence during this second period. Both analyses are complementary and clarify the long-term benefits of this training program for the agility of the elderly population.