THE EFFECTS OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

Abstract

Population aging is a global phenomenon that poses increasing challenges to public health policies, particularly regarding the maintenance of functional capacity and independence among elderly individuals. In this context, functional training emerges as an effective intervention strategy, as it involves multiplanar movements that simulate the demands of activities of daily living (ADL). This study aimed to highlight the benefits of functional training exercises for seniors, with emphasis on autonomy, balance, muscular health, and quality of life. This is a narrative literature review with a descriptive-exploratory approach, conducted through searches in the Virtual Health Library (BVS) during August and September 2025. The descriptors used were "benefits," "functional training," "elderly," and "physical education professional," combined with the Boolean operator AND. Of the 402 initially identified studies, six were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results indicated that functional training promotes significant improvements in static and dynamic balance, muscle strength and mass, flexibility, functional mobility, and fall risk reduction. Additionally, relevant psychosocial benefits were observed, such as improvements in self-esteem, mood, and emotional well-being. It is concluded that regular and guided functional training practice represents a safe, effective, and accessible strategy to promote active aging and functional independence among the elderly, and should be encouraged by health and physical education professionals.