Impact of physical exercise on low body weight in elderly: a focused approach on sarcopenia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Verify the impact of physical exercise practice in elders with low weight and sarcopenia, since the latter is a component often associated with thinness in the elderly population. In the same way, it seeks to elicit the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on these same variables. METHODOLOGICAL DELINEATION: Integrative review of PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs databases between 2014 and 2019 using Descritores em Ciencia e Saude (DeCS) (sarcopenia, idoso, perda de peso, exercicio and estilo de vida sedentario) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) (aged, aged 80 and over, weight loss, sarcopenia, thinness, exercise and sedentary behavior). RESULTS: Fourteen articles were included in the synthesis. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to loss of strength and muscle mass among the elderly. Older people who practice physical activity have improved performance and muscle mass, functional capacity, and strength. CONCLUSION: In general, the articles demonstrated that physical activity assists in the maintenance of lean body mass and the potentiation of protein anabolism in the elderly and sarcopenic population, besides being a preventive factor.