The Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercises for Elderly Women

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: the aim of the study was to experimentally prove the effectiveness of the developed method of therapeutic gymnastics for elderly women, taking into account age characteristics, physical fitness level, and functional state of the body. Material and Methods: the study involved 130 women aged 50–65 who regularly exercised at the Fitness Club (Astana, Kazakhstan) and were divided equally into a wellness group and a shaping group. The wellness group used a proprietary program of measured health-improving exercises, while the shaping group used standard shaping exercises. During the pedagogical experiment, which lasted one year, methods of anthropometry, functional testing, pedagogical observation, and statistical analysis were used. The assessment was based on indicators of physical development, functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, level of physical fitness, as well as the Orthostatic Tests, Genchi test, Stange Breath-Holding Test, Skibinsky Index, and Minute Ventilation indicators. Statistical processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results. It was found that women in the wellness group showed significantly more pronounced positive changes compared to the shaping group. During the experiment, there was a 10.5% reduction in body weight, a 12.12% reduction in weight-to-height ratio, and an improvement in cardiovascular and respiratory function indicators. Resting systolic blood pressure decreased by 12.63%, resting diastolic blood pressure by 3.55%, and heart rate by 22.05%. Vital capacity (fact) increased significantly (by 4.27%) and vital capacity (relative) increased significantly (by 18.23%). Significant improvements in functional tests were noted: the Skibinsky Index increased by 99.04%, the Genchi test by 190.06%, and the Stange Breath-Holding Test by 68.43%. Significant changes were also observed in the physical fitness indicators of the wellness group: the increase in Abdominal and Leg Muscles Power-Endurance was 475.98%, Speed–Strength Endurance of Back and Arm Muscles – 219.26%, and Vestibular Stability – 235.18%. In the shaping group, such changes were much less pronounced. Conclusions. The results of the study confirm the high effectiveness of the developed method of therapeutic gymnastics for elderly women. The comprehensive use of breathing, static, and dynamic exercises contributes to a significant improvement in functional status, increased adaptive capabilities, and a reduced risk of age-related functional disorders. The data obtained justify the feasibility of introducing the proposed methodology into mass sports practice within fitness clubs for elderly women.