MUSCLE STRENGTH, GAIT SPEED, AND REACTION TIME IN ACTIVE ELDERLY PEOPLE
Al Nayf Mantas, M.R.
Graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. Graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Education, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (Spain)
Párraga Montilla, J.
Professor of the Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén (Spain)
Lozano Aguilera, E.
Professor of the Department of Statistics and Research, Faculty of Education, University of Jaén (Spain)
LópezGarcía, S. & Moral-García, J.E.
Professor of the Department of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Education, Pontifical University of Salamanca (Spain)
Abstract
This study aimed to assess physical and perceptual abilities such as muscle strength, gait speed, and reaction time in older people. The sample was 170 over 50 years old (93 women), who participated in the physical activity program of the University of Jaén. Muscle strength was measured using the bench press test, the chair test, and the manual grip test. The walking speed of 0-30 m using photoelectric cells. Reaction time is used using an infrared platform. The results show a good level of physical condition of the participants, although the older ones are slower and take longer to respond to a stimulus. Variable muscle strength parallel to aging. Men have a better level of muscle strength and walking speed than women.
Keywords: Physical activity, fitness level, perceptive abilities, program, aging.