Influence of a program of geriatric revitalization as a physical activity on bone mineral density and the risk of falls in people with Alzheimer's disease

There are two groups, experimental and control group. Both groups formed by subjects Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The experimental group participated in a geriatric revitalization program with a physical activity, with sessions in homogeneous groups (groups of 5-8 subjects with similar cognitive impairment) for 6 months with a frequency of 3 sessions per week of 40-45 minutes, carried out in a Center specialized in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The sessions were conducted by a physiotherapist with more than 5 years of experience in the treatment of people with disabilities, dementias and Alzheimer's disease. The sessions of geriatric revitalization are structured: To start the session warm-up exercises are performed (walking, general exercises of joint mobility, with wide ranges of movement of upper and lower limbs and cervical spine fundamentally, during 3 minutes) and muscle stretching (gentle stretching of the main muscle groups of upper and lower limbs and the cervical spine, each one during 10 seconds and 2 repetitions). Aerobic endurance exercises are then performed (walking and depending on the capacity of the subjects of the group, the intensity can be increased almost to run, in two times, the first during 3 minutes and the second during 5-6 minutes, alternated with series of specific joint mobility of upper and lower limbs, normaly 2 sets of 10 repetitions each mobilization). Muscular strength (exercises with weights, manual resistance of the physiotherapist, elastic rubber bands, normaly 2 sets of 10 repetitions each exercise). Coordination, agility and balance exercises that can vary in duration according to the session and finally breathing exercises and relaxation to end the session. At all times, the theoretical maximum heart rate (220-age) must be respected (periodically the heart rate is checked)