Percorrer por autor "Pereira, Bernardo"
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- Effect of a 12-Week Strength Training Program on Muscle Strength Measures of Institutionalized Older Adults—A Pilot StudyPublication . Pereira, Bernardo; Monteiro, Diogo; Matos, Rui; Jacinto, Miguel; Amaro, Nuno; Antunes, Raul; Rodrigues, FilipeInstitutionalized older adults are characterized by high levels of dependence and low levels of physical activity compared to those living in the community. This combination of factors leads to an increased risk of loss of muscle mass. Sarcopenia can be countered through strength training. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a strength training program on the physical fitness of institutionalized older adults. This study included a sample of 31 institutionalized older adults (20 females, 11 males) aged between 65 and 96 years (M = 81.64, SD = 8.67). Participants reported an average institutionalization duration of 2.43 years (SD = 2.20), ranging from half a year to ten years. A 12-week strength training program was implemented, with sessions held twice a week. Strength fitness was assessed through the following parameters: handgrip strength, upper limb muscular endurance, lower limb muscular endurance, agility and balance, body mass index, and waist circumference. The results demonstrated that a 12-week strength training program improved physical fitness in terms of lower limb muscular endurance, upper limb muscular endurance, agility, and dynamic balance (p < 0.05).
- Exploring how exercise frequency impacts muscle strength and balance in institutionalized older adults: Protocol for a randomized controlled trialPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Pereira, Bernardo; Silva, Elisabete; Monteiro, Diogo; Antunes, RaulThis protocol for a randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the impact of exercise frequency on muscle strength, balance, and fall risk among institutionalized older adults. Recognizing the unique physical and functional limitations of this population, the study will test whether two or three weekly sessions of multicomponent exercise yield differential outcomes. Sixty participants residing in nursing homes will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group performing exercise twice weekly and an experimental group training three times weekly, over a 12-week intervention period. All sessions will follow international guidelines for older adults, incorporating aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility training at light-to-moderate intensity. Primary outcomes include lower- and upper-body strength and dynamic balance; secondary outcomes comprise waist circumference, body mass index, and fall incidence. The program is designed with progressive adaptation and safety in mind, employing the Talk Test to regulate intensity and standardized measures to monitor physiological responses. The rationale stems from the gap in existing literature regarding optimal exercise frequency for institutionalized populations. While two sessions per week have been associated with functional improvements, it remains unclear whether an additional weekly session provides significant incremental benefits. By isolating frequency as the primary variable, the trial addresses the need to define the minimum effective dose of structured exercise for enhancing physical activity, functional capacity, and reducing fall risk. Results are expected to inform tailored physical activity guidelines and implementation strategies in long-term care settings, balancing clinical efficacy with feasibility and safety constraints typical of institutional environments.