Benefits of the karate practice for elderly
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2014v17i2p27-42Keywords:
Martial Arts, Aged, Physical Activity.Abstract
Nowadays, the elderly people are looking for innovative practice of physical exercises in addition to the traditional approaches: walking, water aerobics and weight training. However, there is a lack of information in scientific articles regarding the practice of Karate in the elderly population. Objective: this study is aimed at analyzing the body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength for lower members, flexibility and the mood among elderly people with hypertension who practice karate. Methods: A quantitative study, led with 13 women with a mean age of 64.78 years, diagnosed with hypertension, who performed karate lessons for three months, three times a week, with an interval of 48 hours rest. The variables of the study were: nutritional profile, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength to inferior members, flexibility and humor. Results: Were identified significant improvements (p<0.05) for: Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and flexibility of the lower members. No significant changes to the areas of the Profile of Mood State (POMS) were observed. Conclusion: The karate promotes benefits for hypertensive elderly people by increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, decreased blood pressure, decreased BMI and waist circumference and may be considered more of an option exercise used in the treatment/control of hypertension for the identified benefits among subjects searching the facilitation of their day-to-day and more active aging.