Elastic Band Training Versus Multicomponent Training and Group-Based Dance on Morphological Variables and Physical Performance in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effects of elastic band training (EBT) versus multicomponent training (MCT) and group-based dance (GBD) on waist circumference, body composition (body fat percentage and fat-free mass), and physical performance (handgrip strength, HGS; 30-s chair stand; timed up-and-go, TUG) in Chilean older women.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups: EBT ( 10), MCT ( 10), and GBD ( 10). Two 60-min sessions per week for 8 weeks were dedicated to the interventions with pre- and post-assessments. A two-factor mixed ANOVA model with repeated measures was performed to measure the time × group effect.

Results: Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences between EBT and MCT in the body fat percentage ( = 0.001; ES = 2.488, ) in favor of MCT, while HGS in the non-dominant hand ( = 0.044; ES = 0.158) was in favor of EBT. In the intragroup results, only the MCT significantly decreased the body fat percentage ( = 0.044; ES = 0.426, ), and EBT significantly increased HGS in the dominant ( < 0.001; ES = 0.977, ) and non-dominant ( < 0.001; ES = 0.583, ) hands and improved the 30-s chair stand ( = 0.003; ES = 1.612, ) test. The GBD did not report significant changes.

Conclusions: MCT significantly reduced the body fat percentage regarding EBT, and EBT significantly improved HGS in the non-dominant hand regarding MCT, with no differences reported in the rest of the analyzed variables between the groups.