Comparison of the risk of falls between elderly people who practice physical exercises and who are sedentary and the relationship between balance and muscle strength variables

Abstract

Falling is an event with an unfavorable outcome, which limits the independence and autonomy of the elderly, in addition to generating high social and economic costs. The risk of falls, in general, is assessed by individuals' physical abilities such as postural balance, mainly the dynamic type, and muscular strength. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of physical activity on the number and risk of falls, through postural balance, mobility and muscular strength of the elderly. Secondarily, this study aimed to correlate muscle strength with the variables of balance and mobility. A total of 76 elderly people participated in the study and were divided into group A, with 39 active elderly people (72.1 ± 2.2 years) who performed some type of physical activity at least twice a week, and group S, with 37 sedentary elderly people (71.8 ± 3.4 years) who did not engage in any type of physical activity. The number of falls was evaluated by a questionnaire and balance was evaluated by the Berg balance scale. For measuring mobility, the Timed up and go test was used, and for the handgrip strength a hand dynamometer was used. Student's t-test was performed to identify differences between groups, and Pearson's correlation was used for both groups between handgrip strength, balance and mobility. Group A demonstrated a lower number of falls (p=0.01*) and risk of falls according to the Berg scale (p=0.01*) and the TUG test (p=0.01*) compared with the S group. There was no difference (p=0.90) between handgrip strength and the other groups. There was no relationship between strength and balance variables. Physical activity has a positive effect on the risk of falls, but postural balance and muscle strength should be tested, associated and trained in a complementary way throughout life, because the biological aging process of the neuromuscular system has a deleterious effect between the components of balance and muscular strength.

Correlação Entre Equilíbrio Postural E Força De Preensão Manual Em Idosas Após Pilates Na Água

“…Idosos que praticam exercício físico têm menos risco de quedas, visto que o exercício ajuda a desacelerar estas quedas ligadas ao processo natural de envelhecimento. 32,33 Em contrapartida, a não realização de exercício físico diminui a mobilidade e o condicionamento físico, aumentando o aparecimento de contraturas e a sarcopenia e inclusive o risco de quedas. 33 Em outro estudo também houve associação entre a força de preensão palmar e o equilíbrio e destaca que o desempenho do TUG é dependente da força muscular.…”

“…34 Além disso, essa diminuição da força pode ter ocorrido porque no idoso a fibra que mais apresenta comprometimento é a do tipo II, o que provoca uma diminuição da capacidade de produzir força rapidamente. 33 É importante salientar, ainda, que existem poucos estudos que verificam a associação entre o equilíbrio postural e a Força de Preensão Palmar. Em um estudo que avaliou o equilíbrio e a capacidade funcional de idosos por meio do Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) mostrou que a baixa força muscular estava associada a uma piora do equilíbrio e da capacidade funcional.…”

Comparison of Functional Balance and Probability of Falling in the Elderly with and Without a History of Falling Living in Care Centers

“…Individuals who had fallen once or more during the previous six months [14] were in the group with a history of falls. Balance and probability of falls in the elderly were assessed by Berg test and TUG test [15]. The code of ethics was also received from the Research Institute of Medical Sciences Technology of Guilan University.…”

Combining cognitive stimulation therapy and fall prevention exercise (CogEx) in older adults with mild to moderate dementia: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

“…Strengthening and balance exercises are the critical components in fall prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults [18] and are highly associated with falls [19]. However, fall prevention interventions that work in healthy older adults may not work in PLwD.…”