A força de preensão manual (FPM) associa-se com a funcionalidade de idosos, mas há dúvidas sobre o valor dessa relação em todas as situações. O estudo observou a correlação entre FPM de idosos residentes em instituições de cuidados permanentes (asilos) e o desempenho funcional (DF) em tarefas específicas e inespecíficas para as mãos. Participaram 12 homens (70±6 anos; 64±9 kg; 160±10 cm) e sete mulheres (77±11 anos; 49±10 kg; 147±10 cm). A FPM foi medida com dinamômetro hidráulico. As tarefas motoras propostas foram: caminhar 10 m na velocidade máxima (C10), timed up & go test (TUGT), colocar e retirar chave de fechadura (TCCF) e tirar e recolocar lâmpada em um bocal (TCLB). O teste de Wilcoxon revelou que os homens apresentaram melhores desempenhos que as mulheres em todos as medidas, exceto IMC, TCCF e TCLB (p<0,05). Os coeficientes de Spearman revelaram que três testes apresentaram correlações significativas com a FPM: TRLB (ρ = -0,54; p = 0,018); TUGT (ρ = -0,67; p = 0,002) e C10 (ρ = -0,69; p = 0,001). A correlação múltipla entre a FPM e o conjunto dos testes revelou-se igualmente significativa (R-múltiplo = 0,66; p<0,04). Conclui-se que a FPM pode ser uma boa preditora do desempenho em tarefas motoras em idosos frágeis, investindo-se de potencial para apreciação da funcionalidade como um todo, enquanto variável de exposição epidemiológica.Palavras-chave: envelhecimento, saúde, autonomia, aptidão física, força muscular. ABSTRACTHand-grip strength (HGS) has been used to predict functional limitation in the elderly. However, this relationship in all situations is doubtful. The purpose of the study was to observe the association between HGS and functional performance (FP), in specific and not specific tasks among 19 long-term home elderly residents, 12 men (70±6 yrs; 64±9 kg; 160±10 cm) and 7 women (77±11 yrs; 49±10 kg; 147±10 cm). HGS was measured by a hydraulic hand dynamometer. The FP was measured by the time to perform the following tasks: 1) habitual gait speed (HGS); 2) timed up & go test (TUGT); 3) opening a lock with a key (OLK); 4) to take off and put in a light bulb (TPB). The Wilcoxon test revealed that men were better than women in all measurements except for the IMC, OLK and TPL (p<0.05). The Spearman coefficients showed significant correlation between HGS and three FP tests: TPL (ρ=-.54; p=.018); TUGT (ρ=-.67; p=.002) and HGS (ρ=-.69; p=.001). The multiple correlation showed good correlation between the HGS and all FP tests (R=.66; R²=.44; p<.04). These results suggest that HGS may be a good predictor for FP, especially for fragile and institutionalized elderly subjects, having a good potential as an epidemiologic exposition variable to forecast functional performance. Keywords INTRODUÇãODe forma geral, os idosos que apresentam força de preensão manual (FPM) reduzida são sedentários, possuem déficits de massa corporal, apresentam problemas de saúde e limitações funcionais em atividades que exigem a participação dos membros superiores e inferiores (1) . Isso explica em parte, o fato de, a despeit...

Training frequency is an important resistance training variable, but its relative contribution to strength and functional performance (FP) gains in senior populations is not yet well defined. The present study investigated the effect of different resistance training frequencies on the strength and FP in active women aged 60 years and older. A total of 48 women (60-78 years) underwent a 16-week training program for 1 set of 10 repetition maximums (10RMs) of each exercise, being assigned in groups that performed training frequencies of 1, 2, or 3 days per week (EG1, EG2, and EG3) and a control group. Strength and FP tests were applied before and after the training protocol. All EGs, but not the control group, exhibited 10RM increases (bench press, seated dumbbell curl, knee extension, standing calf raise, p < 0.01). The 10RM increase for seated dumbbell curl and knee extension was always greater in the higher frequencies (p < 0.05). Timed up and go test improved equally in all EGs (p < 0.01). Chair sit-and-stand improvements in EG3 (-15.7%) and EG2 (-9.8%) were greater than in EG1 (-4.6%) (p < 0.01). Gait-speed improvement in EG3 (-11.6%) was greater than in EG2 (-5.1%) and EG1 (-3.9%) (p < 0.01). In conclusion, a higher weekly training frequency increased FP and strength to a greater extent than lower frequencies in active senior women.