Evaluation of the physical domain of functional capacity in active elderly: cross-sectional study
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The process of muscle aging is initially characterized by progressive loss of muscle power. Subsequently, there is loss of strength and muscle mass. Hence, geriatric syndromes, such as sarcopenia and frailty, have a high prevalence. Therefore, it is necessary to study which physical tests are best correlated with lower limb muscle performance. OBJECTIVES: To study the association of the functional capacity of the elderly, through functional tests used in clinical practice, with classic tests and gold standard of body composition and muscular function. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study with elderly people who practiced regular physical exercises. The functional tests evaluated were: the sit to stand 5 times test, gait speed, SPPB, hand grip, the 30-s chair-stand test and TUGT. The classic and gold standard evaluations were: vertical jump test with squatting (SJ), vertical jump test with counter-movement (CMJ), isokinetic tests (peak torque in the concentric contraction at 60o.s-1 in extensor muscles and knee flexors), measurement of the appendicular skeletal muscle mass and percentage of body fat by DEXA. The statistical evaluations were: Pearson correlation coefficient (R), Student t test and split analysis of the medians. RESULTS: Fifty-four elderly participated in the study with 71 (± 6.5) years old: 41 (76%) women and 13 (24%) men. The ratio of hand grip performance and concentric isokinetic tests at velocity 60o.s-1 had r = 0.72 and r = 0.69 for knee extensors and flexors, respectively (p <0.05). The relation of hand grip performance and vertical jump tests was r = 0.55 and r = 0.53, for SJ and CMJ, respectively (p <0.05). The relationship between hand grip performance and appendicular skeletal muscle index was r = 0.49 (p <0.05). The relationship between the SA performance and isokinetic evaluation 60o.s-1 was r = 0.50 and r = 0.47 for the knee extensor and flexor muscles, respectively (p <0.05). The relationship between CMJ performance and Isokinetic evaluation 60o.s-1 was r = 0.55 and r = 0.50 for the knee extensor and flexor muscles, respectively (p <0.05). Elderly who jumped 15cm or more (SCM), had the best performances in 5 of the 6 functional tests (p <0.05). Elderly with body fat percentage greater or equal 38.6%, were worse in the sit up chair test (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: In this way, the palmar grip strength test is an initial indicator of changes in important components in the aging process, such as lean mass, strength, and muscle power. Among the tests that specifically involve the lower limbs, SCM in contact platform, can be used in clinical practice in the evaluation of strength and muscular power of the elderly.
Language: Portuguese
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7120409261