Flywheel Resistance Training and Traditional Resistance Training in Older Women With Sedentary Behaviors

There are easily accessible and safe strategies, such as resistance training, that can contribute to reducing depressive symptoms and preserving physical and executive function in older women. Resistance training is defined as exercises performed either in water or on land, involving the use of a constant load or uniform weight, regardless of the training program. Various types of resistance training equipment are available, including free weights, pneumatic resistance machines, elastic bands, or even body weight. Specifically, eccentric muscle action occurs when the force applied to the muscle exceeds the momentary force produced by the muscle itself, resulting in the forced elongation of the muscle-tendon system during contraction. To date, evidence from randomized clinical trials has compared the effectiveness of aerobic, resistance, and Pilates exercises in reducing depressive symptoms and improving physical and executive function in older women. While experimental studies have demonstrated the efficacy of physical exercise, the effect of long-term eccentrically reinforced resistance training on depressive symptoms, physical function, and executive function in sedentary older women remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the safety and effect of eccentrically reinforced resistance exercise versus traditional resistance training on depressive symptoms, physical and executive function, quality of life, different manifestations of muscle strength, body composition, vital signs, abdominal circumference, fall risk, and fatigue symptoms in sedentary older women over a 9-month period.

Inclusion Criteria: * 60 years or older. * Self-reported proficiency in speaking, writing, and understanding Portuguese. * Willingness and availability to participate in all trial procedures. * Good vision in at least one eye. * Absence of any medical contraindications for engaging in physical exercise. * Engage in less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week. * Not clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder at the time of the interventions. Exclusion Criteria: * Have uncontrolled chronic or psychiatric illnesses. * Surgical procedures scheduled during the intervention period. * Diagnosis of joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and arthrosis. * Participating in aerobic or resistance exercise programs twice a week for the past three months.