IntroductionThe vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is a hormone synthesized in the skin through a reaction isomerization catalyzed by ultraviolet radiation (UV). The geriatric population is more sensitive to hypovitaminosis D for several reasons, including low sun exposure and reduction of vitamin D capacity by cutaneous production (1). Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and sedentary lifestyles are associated with changes in functional mobility, increasing the risks of falls and fragility (2, 3). Moreover, low levels of 25(OH)D for the elderly may have significant relationship in the reduction of neuromuscular coordination (1, 4). Furthermore, several studies on older individuals who are at risk for 25(OH)D deficiency showed that vitamin D supplementation improved strength and balance (5).It has been also reported that aquatic exercise training and multicomponent training programs improved physical fitness related to functional capacity in older women, such as muscle strength, coordination, flexibility, balance, agility, and aerobic endurance (6, 7). According to an 11-month intervention that aimed to evaluate the effects of multicomponent exercises on muscle strength, aerobic capacity, balance, and joint mobility in 125 postmenopausal women, improvements in all functional capacities parameters were reported (8). However, it is not well established yet whether these positive effects are dependent of serum levels of 25(OH)D or not.Because of that, the aim of this study was to investigate if there is a relation among serum levels of 25(OH)D, aquatic training, and multifunctional fitness on physical performance of elderly women engaged in a regular exercises program. Subjects and MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that included 540 aged ≥ 60 years old elderly women. We included in the study 378 elderly women that were engaged in a regular exercise program at the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc) in São Paulo city, Brazil, for at least one year. We also invited 162 independent elderly women from the community centers which provided services to elderly living in the same geographic area and who had not practicing any regular physical exercise at least one year before.There was no woman with diagnosis of dementia or cognitive problems (diagnosed by doctor) that could hinder the examinations or who had neurological disorders with mobility impairments or acute illnesses.In order to confirm the physical activity levels of the participants, we applied the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). These questionnaire estimates the weekly energy expenditure related to activities of daily living and each of the activities was analyzed for at least 10 continuous minutes (9). The aquatic training (AT) Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a relation among 25(OH)D, aquatic training, and multifunctional fitness on functional performance of elderly woman from the community. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Community. Participants: We...

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Conhecer os níveis séricos de 25(OH)D e o perfil ósseo de mulheres idosas é relevante para a manutenção de sua independência física e funcional. Objetivo: Avaliar a suplementação da 25(OH)D em mulheres idosas fisicamente ativas. Métodos: Ensaio de intervenção em grupos. Foram avaliadas 348 mulheres idosas com idade ≥ 60 anos (67±5 anos), praticantes de exercício físico há pelo menos um ano, na Unidade de Santana do Sesc - Serviço Social do Comércio - São Paulo (SP). Comparamos 146 praticantes de Hidroginástica (HD); 99 idosas que praticavam Ginástica Multifuncional (GMF); e 103 idosas não praticantes de exercício físico supervisionado, as quais foram classificadas como sedentárias (SED). As idosas com níveis de 25(OH)D abaixo da mediana do respectivo grupo foram suplementadas com colecalciferol, 21 mil UI/semana, por 12 meses. Foi realizada a dosagem sérica de 25(OH)D, o cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e a Densitometria Óssea (Dexa). A comparação dos dados basais foi realizada pelo Modelo Linear Geral (General Linear Model - GLM) univariado e para o tempo da suplementação, o GLM para medidas repetidas, considerando o nível de significância α<0,005. Resultados: A suplementação aumentou significativamente os níveis de 25(OH)D na HD (12,06±2,64 - 39,42±13,82 ng/mL - p<0,001), GMF (13,01±3,43 - 37,36±10,46 ng/mL - p<0,001) e SED (10,86±2,26 ng/ml - 38,30±13,77 ng/mL - p<0,001). Não houve diferenças significativas sobre o perfil ósseo. Conclusão: As idosas dos grupos, mesmo independentes fisicamente, apresentaram osteopenia, osteoporose e insuficiência de 25(OH)D, esta corrigida após o protocolo de suplementação, mostrando sua efetividade.

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