ACTIVIDADES FÍSICAS Y RECREATIVAS PARA EL MEJORAMIENTO DE LA TONICIDAD MUSCULAR Y EL EQUILIBRIO EN LOS ADULTOS MAYORES

Abstract

When men reach the age of over 65, they enter the stage where they are called older adults. In this stage, evident aging appears, marked by muscle atrophy and loss of muscle tone, which significantly influences the natural bipedal support of the human being, which increases the risk of falls due to loss. The World Health Organization, (2018) reports that older adults "are those who are most at risk of death or serious injury from falls." Among the causes is a sedentary lifestyle; to date, eight out of ten older adults do not engage in physical activity, the levels of sedentary lifestyle being higher in older women (INEC, 2008). Currently, in Ecuador, specifically in the “San Alejo” sector of the City of Portoviejo-Manabí, older adults show a deficit of strength and muscle tone (sarcopenia), and most of them do not perform physical activity. This significantly affects their balance, showing difficulty in performing daily activities of life, such as: sitting, standing, going up and down stairs, pushing, among others. That is why it was decided to apply a program of physical and recreational activities to improve muscle tonicity and balance in the elderly in the San Alejo sector. It was planned to determine the theoretical foundations that support the proposal, diagnose the level of muscle tonicity and balance in the elderly in the San Alejo sector, design a program of activities physical and recreational activities focused on improving muscle tone and balance in older adults and finally evaluating the effectiveness of the program. The description was applied as a method, with a mixed approach, the type of sampling was non-probabilistic and the population consisted of 12 adults over 65 years of age from the San Alejo sector. Satisfactory results were obtained, older adults improved muscle tone and balance, showing greater independence to carry out their activities of daily life. In addition, moods improved, showing joy and satisfaction when performing activities, this contributes to their quality of life.