Impact of a physical exercise program on the functional capacity of the institutionalized elderly

Introduction: Preventive, promotion and rehabilitation actions such as physical exercise have been able to improve the functional capacity of the institutionalized elderly. Aims: To evaluate the impact of a physical exercise program on the functional capacity of institutionalized elderly. Method: Quantitative study with a quasi-experimental design, without control group, with pre and post intervention evaluation, in a convenience sample of 23 elderly. The instrument for data collection was the form with outcome and independent variables. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto. Results: The majority are female (60.9%), with a mean age of 82.4 years and a high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease (91.3%). ¾ of the sample (74%) is polymedicated. The occurrence of falls in the last 12 months was low (13%). There was a significant improvement in joint amplitude and muscular strength in all movements and joints of the upper and lower limbs. Palmar grip strength improved in both hands. A better performance was observed in the implementation of POMA I, and the number of risk-free elderly people with a high risk of falls increased. The repercussion of improvements in self-care capacity was not effective in some domains, although the mean scores obtained showed a slight improvement trend. Of the psychosocial effects, most participants (60.9%) agreed that they improved health and mood. Conclusions: The physical exercise program implemented to institutionalized elderly, without cognitive deficit, improved the functional and psychosocial capacity.