Influência de um programa de atividade física de longa duração sobre a força muscular manual e a flexibilidade corporal de mulheres idosas

Objetivo: O presente trabalho examinou a influência de um programa de exercícios físicos prolongados (dois anos) sobre a força muscular e a flexibilidade corporal de mulheres idosas (60-80 anos), não institucionalizadas, da Província de Salamanca (Espanha). Método: Participaram 32 sujeitos, escolhidos dentre os participantes do Programa de Revitalização Geriátrica desenvolvido pela Universidade de Salamanca. Os critérios para escolha dos sujeitos foram: serem do sexo feminino, terem entre 60 e 80 anos e terem participado de pelo menos 74% do programa de atividades físicas. Foram realizadas 174 sessões de atividade física, durante 58 semanas, com freqüência de três vezes por semana e duração de 50 a 55 minutos cada uma. No período do experimento foram realizadas quatro medidas da força muscular manual, por meio de manômetro de pressão, e da flexibilidade corporal, por meio do teste sit and reach. Os dados foram analisados por meio de ANOVA com medidas repetidas. Resultados: Tanto em relação à força muscular, quanto à flexibilidade os dados apontam para a ausência de diferenças significativas (p= 0,005). Conclusões: O programa contribuiu para a manutenção da força de preensão manual no período de dois anos e, em relação à flexibilidade corporal, os dados indicam a necessidade de reprogramação dos exercícios destinados ao desenvolvimento de tal capacidade.<br>Objective: The present study evaluated the influence of a two-year physical activity program on muscle strength and body flexibility among non-institutionalized elderly women (60-80 years old), from Salamanca Province in Spain. Method: Thirty-two individuals were chosen to take part in the Geriatric Revitalization Program at Salamanca University. The selection criteria were that they should be female, between 60 and 80 years old, with an attendance rate of at least 74% in the physical activity program. There were 174 physical activity sessions, over a 58-week period, three times a week, lasting 50-55 minutes each. During this period, four measurements of hand muscle strength were made, using a pressure manometer, and also of body flexibility, using the sit and reach test. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measurements. Results: There were no significant differences in relation to either muscle strength or flexibility (p=0.005). Conclusions: The program contributed towards maintaining hand grip strength over the two-year period. For body flexibility, the data indicate the need to reprogram the exercises aimed at developing this capacity

Comparison of hemodynamic and nutritional parameters between older persons practicing regular physical activity, nonsmokers and ex-smokers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sedentary lifestyle combined with smoking, contributes to the development of a set of chronic diseases and to accelerating the course of aging. The aim of the study was to compare the hemodynamic and nutritional parameters between elderly persons practicing regular physical activity, nonsmokers and ex-smokers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample was comprised of 40 elderly people practicing regular physical activity for 12 months, divided into a Nonsmoker Group and an Ex-smoker Group. During a year four trimestrial evaluations were performed, in which the hemodynamic (blood pressure, heart rate- HR and VO₂) and nutritional status (measured by body mass index) data were collected. The paired t-test and t-test for independent samples were applied in the intragroup and intergroup analysis, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age of the groups was 68.35 years, with the majority of individuals in the Nonsmoker Group being women (n = 15) and the Ex-smoker Group composed of men (n = 11). In both groups the variables studied were within the limits of normality for the age. HR was diminished in the Nonsmoker Group in comparison with the Ex-smoker Group (p = 0.045) between the first and last evaluation. In the intragroup analysis it was verified that after one year of exercise, there was significant reduction in the HR in the Nonsmoker Group (p = 0.002) and a significant increase in VO₂for the Ex-smoker Group (p = 0.010). There are no significant differences between the hemodynamic and nutritional conditions in both groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In elderly persons practicing regular physical activity, it was observed that the studied variables were maintained over the course of a year, and there was no association with the history of smoking, except for HR and VO₂.</p