RESUMO
Variables such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist/height ratio (WHtR) are used to assess cardiovascular risks associated with abdominal obesity. The Timed Up and Go (TTUG) test assesses mobility and the risk of falls, especially in the elderly and individuals with physical limitations. The objective was to correlate anthropometric indicators of cardiovascular risk (BMI, WC, WHtR) with performance on the TTUG test in elderly people who practice physical activity. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study, CAAE: 27116319.1.0000.8044. Active elderly participants in a public physical exercise program "Project 60 Up", promoted by the Municipal Secretariat for the Elderly of the City of Niterói, RJ, Brazil, were evaluated. Elderly people of both sexes, with independent locomotion and preserved cognitive status, were included and those with visual, hearing, severe mobility difficulties or neurological sequelae and imbalances were excluded. Anthropometric data were collected: BMI, WC, WHtR, and the TTUG test was performed. RESULTS: In the sample composed of 55 elderly people of both sexes, with an average age of 68 years, the means of the variables were: body weight (67.8 ± 12.7 kg), height (157.2 ± 8.4 cm), TTUG (10.3 ± 2 s), WC (93.3 ± 10.9 cm), WHtR (0.59), and BMI (27.4 ± 4.4). The correlations were between TTUG and age (r = -0.24, p = 0.69), TTUG and BMI (r = 0.111, p = 0.426), and WC and WHtR (r = 0.885, p < 0.000). Weak correlations were observed between TTUG and BMI and WC and WHtR, indicating that factors other than BMI and abdominal fat accumulation may have a greater influence on performance on the TTUG test. In this specific context of elderly people participating in a physical activity program, the results found may have been shaped by the very nature of the interventions carried out in the program, with factors such as muscular strength, flexibility and balance preserved and acquired through the practice of regular physical exercise. Despite the benefits of physical activity, managing weight and abdominal fat remains challenging for elderly individuals with high anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Although many elderly people have anthropometric measurements above average levels, the results indicate that no negative influence on their performance on the TTUG was observed. However, the limitation of the sample size and the underrepresentation of elderly people ≥ 80 years and of men highlight the need for future studies with larger and more balanced samples to confirm these results.
Assuntos
Índice de Massa Corporal , Exercício Físico , Fatores de Risco de Doenças Cardíacas , Circunferência da Cintura , Humanos , Idoso , Masculino , Feminino , Estudos Transversais , Brasil , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Introdução: As pessoas estão envelhecendo cada vez mais no Brasil e no mundo. Estudos apontam que o processo de envelhecimento populacional é acompanhado com o aumento de ocorrência de morbidade e incapacidade. Diferentes condições podem ser apresentadas pelo envelhecimento, como: diminuição da capacidade funcional, diminuição da força e da massa muscular, entre outros. Objetivo: Investigar a redução da capacidade funcional, secundária a redução de força muscular de membros inferiores em idosos institucionalizados em duas instituições de longa permanência (ILPI) no município de Nova Iguaçu (RJ/Brasil). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, exploratório de caráter quantitativo em duas IAPI em Nova Iguaçu/RJ/ no período do mês de julho e agosto de 2017, em que foram selecionados 60 idosos de ambos os sexos (34 homens e 26 mulheres), com faixa etária ≥ 60 anos. Os voluntários foram avaliados quanto a capacidade funcional e a força muscular. Para a capacidade funcional, foi utilizado a escala de Barthel. Para o teste de força, o presente estudo usou para forma de avaliação a escala de Medical Research Council (MRC). Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que 61,7% dos idosos são classificados como independentes pelo índice de Barthel. Na escala de MRC, 95% dos idosos apresentaram fraqueza muscular. Conclusão: Concluímos que a maior proporção de idosos institucionalizados foram considerados independentes, porém, apresentaram quadro de fraqueza muscular. (AU)
Introduction: People are aging more and more in Brazil and worldwide. Studies show that the process of population aging is accompanied by increased occurrence of morbidity and disability. Different conditions can be presented by aging, such as: decreased functional capacity, decreased strength and muscle mass, among others. Objective: To investigate the reduction of functional capacity, secondary to the reduction of muscular strength of lower limbs in elderly institutionalized in two institutions in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu/RJ Brazil. Methods: This is a quantitative exploratory study in two elderly institutions at Nova Iguaçu during the period of July and August 2017, with 60 elderly men and women (34 males and 26 females), age range ≥ 60 years. The volunteers were assessed for functional capacity and muscle strength. For functional capacity, the Barthel scale was used. For strength testing, the present study used the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for evaluation. Results: The results of the present study showed that 61.7% of the elderly are classified as independent by the Barthel index. In the MRC scale, 95% of the elderly presented muscular weakness. Conclusion: We concluded that the most proportion of institutionalized elderly was considered independent but presented a picture of muscular weakness. (AU)