Upper Versus Lower Body Resistance Exercise in Older Adults
Upper Versus Lower Body Resistance Exercise in Older Adults
TITLE: Relation between focused resistance training and its effect on cognitive performance
 and functional Independence of institutionalized elderly.

 HIPOTHESIS: The performance of a physical exercise program based on resistance training in
 older adults stabilizes or improves some parameters of the functional independence as well as
 the cognitive function, finding effects overall organism by the focused training of some
 muscular groups.

 GENERAL OBJECTIVES: 1) to analyze the differential effects of an exercise program based on
 the training of the muscular strength of the upper body versus a lower body one, at short and
 long term in institutionalized elderly people; 2) to identify if there is any relations
 between the variables that induce frailness or functional dependence and the physical
 exercise program.

 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: To determine the differential effects of a physical exercise program
 based on the development of the muscular strength of the upper body versus the lower body, in
 sessions of 40 minutes a day, 2 days per week during 7 months on: a) The improvement of
 functional independence by the amelioration of balance, decrease of fall risk and an adequate
 development in the activities of daily living; b) The improvement of the global cognitive
 function; c) The improvement of the quality of life.

 METHODS

 -  Design: Controlled trial. The institutionalized elderly from the geriatric centers will
 be invited to take part in the study. After they meet the selection criteria, they will
 be assigned to two experimental groups and one control group in each center. Information
 regarding sociodemographic characteristics and a clinical anamnesis of the participants
 will be collected.

 -  Intervention: Three groups, one from each centre. Two centers, experimental groups, will
 perform two physical exercises programs of resistance training with elastic bands, one
 focused on the upper and one on the lower body. They will be carried 2 days per week,
 during 3 months in 45-minute sessions. The program will consist of 5 exercises, with a
 volume of 4 sets of 12 repetitions, with 2-minute breaks between sets and 3 between
 exercises. Control group will participate in 40 minutes stretching sessions, 3 times per
 week. After 3 months of exercise and after three months of transition, they experimental
 groups will perform the other program for another 3 months, crossing the interventions.

 -  Assessments: Six will be carried: At the beginning, at the end of the first
 intervention, at the beginning of the second one, at the end and a follow up 3 months
 later. In each, it will be assessed the potential cognitive impairment and cognitive
 status (Spanish version of the MMSE, Fototest and Trail Making Test part A), functional
 independence (Timed Up and Go Test), grip strength (hand dynamometer), lower body
 strength (30 Seconds Chair Stands) and flexibility/mobility (Chair Sit-and-Reach and
 Back Scratch Test.)
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  No medical contraindications to be involved in the exercise programs.

 -  To be able to follow the exercise classes

 -  Signed informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -