RESUMEN
Background: Social isolation has been one of the main measures for the prevention of COVID-19. It's possible that, in addition to the natural aging-related deficits, social isolation has accelerated the decline of the different components of physical and mental capacity in older adults. This study aimed to compare the functional capacity and concern about falling in older adults before and during COVID-19 social isolation. Method: This observational longitudinal study was carried out with 45 community dwelling older adults (mean age 65.6 ± 4.6 years, 88.8% women). Functional capacity and concerns about falling assessments were carried out before the COVID-19 pandemic, and between the 16th and 18th week of social isolation. All testes were face-to-face, except the second FES-I assessment, which took place via telephone call in order to minimize a prolonged person-to-person contact. Muscle strength, muscle power, functional mobility, functional muscle fitness, upper and lower body flexibility, dynamic balance, and Efficacy Scale were assessments. Results: Regarding functional capacity, there was 14% decline in muscle strength (p<.001), 7% in power (p=.001), 11% in functional mobility (p=.001), 20% in functional muscle fitness (p=.001), and 60% in upper body flexibility (p=.001) and 33% lower body flexibility (p=.003). The dynamic balance and the concern about falling showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that there was a decline in older adults' functional capacity during COVID-19 social isolation.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a 24-week dual-task training with progression from variable to fixed priority on the concern about falling, confidence in balance, quality of life, and depression symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A total of 60 participants (60-80 y.o.) were randomly allocated into a dual-task training group with progression from variable to fixed priority (experimental group) or into a dual-task training group with variable priority (control group). RESULTS: No between-group difference was observed after the intervention. A significant time effect showed a reduction in concern about falling [mean difference (MD) = -2.91)] and depression symptoms (MD = -1.66), an increase in the physical function (MD = 7.86), overall mental health (MD = 5.82), perception of vitality, energy, and less fatigue (MD = 10.45), general perception of overall health (MD = 6.81), and their health compared to the last year (MD = 11.89). CONCLUSION: The experimental protocol was not superior to the control one. However, both protocols improved these outcomes.
Asunto(s)
Accidentes por Caídas , Vida Independiente , Calidad de Vida , Accidentes por Caídas/prevención & control , Anciano , Depresión/diagnóstico , Marcha , Humanos , Equilibrio Postural , Análisis y Desempeño de TareasRESUMEN
Abstract Introduction: To establish a correlation between concern about falling and a more comprehensive functional parameter, functional muscle fitness, a variable that encompasses functional components such as balance, muscle strength, power, flexibility and motor coordination in an integrated way. Functional muscle fitness is measured using the sitting-rising (from the floor) test (SRT), a simple, safe, fast and ecological test. Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the correlation between concern about falling and functional muscle fitness in the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. The sample consisted of 53 elderly people of both sexes (86.8% women; 65.6 ± 4.7 years old; body mass index 28.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2), who were assessed for concern about falling (through Falls Efficacy Scale International, FES-I-Brazil) and functional muscle fitness (through SRT). Correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman test. For all analyses, a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) was established. Results: Concern about falling showed a negative correlation with functional muscle fitness (rho =-0.229; p = 0.015). Conclusion: Elderly people with lower levels of functional muscle fitness have a higher level of concern about falling.
Resumo Introdução: Com o intuito de estabelecer uma correlação entre a preocupação em cair e um parâmetro funcional mais abrangente, a aptidão muscular funcional, variável que engloba componentes funcionais como equilíbrio, força, potência muscular, flexibilidade e coordenação motora de forma integrada, surge como uma alternativa. A aptidão muscular funcional é mensurada por meio do teste de sentar e levantar do chão (TSL), um teste simples, seguro, rápido e ecológico. Objetivo: A pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a correlação entre a preocupação em cair e a aptidão muscular funcional de idosos. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo com delineamento observacional do tipo transversal correlacional. A amostra foi composta por 53 idosos de ambos os sexos (86,8% mulheres; 65,6 ± 4,7 anos; índice de massa corporal 28,5 ± 3,8 kg/m2), avaliados quanto à preocupação em cair (através da Escala Internacional de Eficácia de Quedas Brasil - FES-I-Brasil) e à aptidão muscular funcional (através do TSL). A análise de correlação foi realizada pelo teste de Spearman. Para todas as análises foi estabelecido um nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). Resultados: A preocupação em cair apresentou correlação negativa com aptidão muscular funcional (rho =-0,229; p = 0,015). Conclusão: Idosos com menores índices de aptidão muscular funcional apresentam maior nível de preocupação em cair.