Karla H. C. Vilaça

Obese elderly women exhibit low postural stability: a novel three-dimensional evaluation system

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the multisegmental static postural balance of active eutrophic and obese elderly women using a three-dimensional system under different sensory conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 elderly women (16 eutrophic and 15 obese) aged 65 to 75 years. The following anthropometric measurements were obtained: weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and handgrip strength. The physical activity level was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was measured using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. The Polhemus® Patriot (three-dimensional) equipment was used to measure the parameters of postural balance along the anteroposterior and laterolateral axes. The data acquisition involved one trial of 60 s to test the limit of stability and four trials of 90 s each under the following conditions: (1) eyes open, stable surface; (2) eyes closed, stable surface; (3) eyes open, unstable surface; and (4) eyes closed, unstable surface. RESULTS: For the limit of stability, significant differences were observed in the maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement (p<0.01) and in the parameter maximum anteroposterior displacement in the eyes closed stable surface condition (p<0.01) and maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement in the eyes open unstable surface (p<0.01 and p = 0.03) and eyes closed unstable surface (p<0.01 and p<0.01) conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Obese elderly women exhibited a lower stability limit (lower sway area) compared with eutrophic women, leaving them more vulnerable to falls.

Estudo longitudinal do equilíbrio postural e da capacidade aeróbica de idosos independentes

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the variation in aerobic capacity and postural balance of independents elderly for a period of three years. METHODS The aerobic capacity of the volunteers was assessed using a six minutes walk test (6MWT), the postural balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the number of falls was self-reported and physical activity level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - long version). Evaluations undertaken in 2008 were compared to those performed in 2005. RESULTS There were no differences in balance and number of falls between 2008 and 2005 (p>0.05). There was a decrease in aerobic capacity over time of 52.46±8.4 meters walked. The IPAQ showed an increase in physical activity on the second evaluation (83.3%). CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that balance, evaluated using BBS did not change in the active independent elderly for a period of three years. However, over the there year period there was a decrease in aerobic capacity evaluated using the 6MWT.

Força muscular e densidade mineral óssea em idosos eutróficos e desnutridos

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associacao do estado nutricional com a forca muscular de preensao manual e a densidade mineral ossea em idosos do sexo masculino. METODOS: Participaram do estudo 41 idosos do sexo masculino, sendo 20 eutroficos (peso: M=69,6, DP=8,4; indice de massa corporal: M=25,7, DP=2,2) e 21 desnutridos (peso: M=50,9, DP=6,1; indice de massa corporal: M=18,7, DP=1,8), classificados subjetivamente segundo a Mini Avaliacao Nutricional. A avaliacao antropometrica incluiu peso corporal, altura, circunferencia do braco e da panturrilha. A composicao corporal foi avaliada pelo metodo de absorciometria por dupla emissao de Raios X, e a ocorrencia de osteoporose foi definida de acordo com os criterios estabelecidos pela Organizacao Mundial da Saude. A forca muscular foi avaliada pelo dinamometro de mao. RESULTADOS: O grupo desnutrido apresentou valores expressivamente menores dos parâmetros antropometricos e de com-posicao corporal em relacao ao grupo eutrofico (p<0,005). Alem disso, a ocorrencia de osteoporose foi signifi-cativamente maior (p<0,01) no grupo desnutrido em todas as regioes estudadas: colo do femur, quadril total e coluna. A forca muscular de preensao manual dos idosos desnutridos foi significativamente menor que a dos idosos eutroficos (M=23,1, DP=6,8 e M=30,3, DP=8,4, respectivamente; p<0,005). CONCLUSAO: A desnutricao esta associada a menor forca muscular e a diminuicao da densidade mineral ossea em idosos do sexo masculino.

Influência da obesidade e da força de preensão palmar no equilíbrio postural estático de idosas ativas

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the obesity and handgrip strength on the static balance of active older women in the opened and closed eyes conditions. Thirty one women aged from 65 to 75 years (16 eutrophic and 15 obese) were evaluated. Mean age and BMI of the eutrophic women were, respectively, 68.3±2.7 years and 23.4±1.6kg/m2, and of the obese women were 69.1±2.7 years and 33.5±3kg/m2. Handgrip strength was evaluated using a dynamometer (JAMAR). A tridimensional sensors system was used to evaluate the static postural balance. The tests were performed for 90 seconds, with eyes opened and closed. The mean handgrip strength of the eutrophic women was 25.1±4.6kgf and of the obese women was 24.8±5.2kgf, (p>0,05). Significant differences between groups were only observed in the maximum displacement with opened eyes (p=0,04) and closed eyes(p<0,01). There was no correlation between the maximum displacement neither with the BMI or the handgrip strength. The present study showed smaller a-p displacement in obese than in eutrophic women, with major statistic difference in the eyes closed condition. In the present study, the handgrip strength did not influence the static balance, however the obesity was a determinant factor for the smaller a-p displacement of the active older women.