Estudio comparativo de la autonomía funcional de adultos mayores: atletas y sedentarios, en altitud moderada

Abstract

RESUMENLa práctica sistemática de actividad física contribuye al mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida y salud y retarda el proceso de envejecimiento del adulto mayor. Objetivo. Identificar diferencias en la autonomía funcional en hombres de 60 a 70 años, practicantes de ciclismo y sedentarios, residentes en Tunja, a altitud moderada. Materiales y Métodos. Estudio comparativo de corte transversal analítico. Participaron 22 adultos mayores, de sexo masculino; 11 sedentarios y 11 practicantes de ciclo montañismo, con edades entre 60 y 70 años (media 63.03±4.32 años) previo consentimiento informado se sometieron a evaluación cineantropomé-trica por bioimpedancia, las pruebas de la batería Senior Fitness Test (SFT) de Rikli y Jones (1999a) el Test de Ästrand submaximal y dinamometría manual derecha e izquierda. Resultados: Los grupos se encontraron comparables en edad, peso, talla e índice de masa corporal (p>0,05). Se registraron diferencias estadística-mente significativas a favor del grupo de ciclo montañistas, en la media del porcentaje de grasa corporal, densidad ósea, masa muscular, mientras que ni el índice de masa corporal (25,6 ±3,3 y 25,2±2,5) registraron diferencias significativas. En la prueba SFT se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la flexión de cadera (p<0,001). En la prueba submaximal se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la prueba de esfuerzo en Watts (p=0,021). En la dinamometría de la mano izquierda también se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,0007). Conclusión. Los adultos mayores que adelantan rutinariamente prácticas de ejercicio físico como el ciclo montañismo presentan mejores características de composición corporal, flexibilidad de la cintura, mejor capacidad aeróbica y motricidad.Palabras claves: actividades físicas, adulto mayor, autonomía personal SUMMARYThe systematic practice of physical activity contributes to improve living and health conditions and slows dawn the aging process in seniors. Objective. Identify differences in functional autonomy in 60-70 year old mountain cyclists and sedentary males residing in Tunja, at moderate height. Materials and Methods. Comparative analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 22 elderly males participated; 11 sedentary seniors and 11 mountain cyclists, ages between 60 and 70 (mean 63.03 ± 4.32 years). Subjects agreed to take the Kinanthropometric assessment using a bioimpedance analysis, the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery developed by Rikli and Jones (1999a), the submaximal Ästrand Test and the Right and Left Handgrip

Functional Ability, Frailty and Risk of Falls in the Elderly: Relations with Autonomy in Daily Living

“…Consequently, regular physical activity should be promoted to preserve functionality and performance in the activities of daily living of older people [7]. Many investigations have shown the benefits of strength training to the autonomy of older people.…”

“…Given the importance and social impact that this continuous increase of older people in Spain is having, this population group is being studied to better understand the ageing process and guarantee the health and quality of life of older people [5][6][7].…”

“…Inactivity is the fourth highest risk factor for mortality [13,14]. A sedentary lifestyle in old age increases the deterioration of muscular function [15] and the risk of suffering cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory and degenerative diseases [7]. All this substantiates the great importance of reducing the sedentary nature of the lifestyle of older people, with the intention of reducing health problems, diseases, functional deterioration and dependency [7,16].…”

“…Regarding physical activity, it is a very useful tool for achieving successful ageing, as well as for preventing adverse effects of ageing, such as the risk of mortality, many diseases, and functional and cognitive impairment. This is due to the fact that it intervenes in the bio-psycho-social factors of older people, with the purpose of ageing with greater functional autonomy and better integration into society [7,18,19].…”

“…In short, older people guided through active ageing through physical activity not only improve their physical condition, but also improve their quality of life as they get older, reinforcing their physical, psychological and social well-being [7,19].…”