Effects of 12 Weeks of Functional and Resistance Training on Anxiety Symptoms and Sleep Quality in Older Individuals

Abstract

This quasi-experimental intervention study aims to verify the effects of 12 weeks of functional and resistance exercise on anxiety symptoms and sleep quality in 40 older adults. The Perceived Stress Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used. The physical training protocol used in the intervention was structured into resistance training and functional training sessions. Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, asymmetry and kurtosis coefficients, bootstrapping procedures, dependent and independent Student t-test, and Spearman correlation (p < .05). There was a significant reduction in the mean of anxiety symptoms (p < .001) in the sleep disturbance component (p = .033) and the total sleep quality score (p = .017). It is noteworthy that younger older people (60–69 years old) showed better quality in the sleep disorders component after the intervention when compared to older people (70 years old or more) (p = .004). It is concluded that 12 weeks of functional and resistance training were able to reduce symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders and increase sleep quality in older people. Implementing functional and resistance exercise programs can effectively reduce anxiety symptoms and improve sleep quality in the older population.