Introduction:

Human aging implies a reduction in the functional capacity of the elderly population, and physical exercise is fundamental to improve it.

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of a Rehabilitation Nursing program of self-training on functional capacity in a group of elderly people.

Method:

It is a quasi-experimental study with evaluation before and after intervention. The sample consisted of 24 elderly people distributed by the intervention group (n=12) and the control group (n=12). The intervention program included 24 sessions over 12 weeks of implementation. The unipodal balance test, the Tinetti index for balance and gait, and physical fitness by the Rikli & Jones test battery were used as measuring instruments.

Results:

In the intervention group there was a positive evolution in relation to all variables evaluated, with statistically significant differences in the two moments of evaluation. In the control group, there were no statistically significant changes.

Conclusion:

This program of proprioceptive training demonstrated gains in the functional capacity of the elderly.

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