Comparison of balance and grip among elderly active and sedentary

• Grant number: 11/20077-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Eduardo Scheicher
• Grantee: Dayane de Oliveira Macedo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências (FFC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Marília. Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in human life expectancy and longevity of the world population caused an increase in the elderly. Human aging is characterized by a natural, irreversible process of losing structural and functional aspects of the body progressively. The practice of regular exercise is effective in minimizing the losses associated with aging, and in view of such improvements, policies to promote the health of the elderly are being implemented with more increase. There are few studies on the influence of grip force related to the balance in elderly individuals practicing physical exercises, and even more fewer studies in with elderly people who practice a particular sport are observed. Objective: To estimate and compare the strength of grip and mobility in different groups of elderly. Methodology will be assessing 60 individuals of an age equivalent or greater than 60 years, in both genders, divided into two groups: 40 active elderly (GA)-exercising and 20 elderly sedentary (GS). Elderly participants will be divided into two groups: 20 older people who practice volleyball (GVA) and 20 older people whose exercises are non-specific (GEF). Participants are from the GVA GREVERMI - Sorority Volleyball and Recreation Golden Age. Those who will be excluded from the study are volunteers who submit neuromusculoskeletal diseases, arthritis, visual problems not corrected, postural hypotension in elderly, continuous use of antidepressants, sedatives, hypnotics, and impaired cognitive status. The instrument to measure grip strength is a hydraulic dynamometer, which assists in the measurement, and mobility will be tested using the procedure ''Time''Up & Go '. Statistical analysis of the data will be chosen appropriately with statistical tests to compare variables inter and intra groups. In all tests chosen the significance level of p d 0.05 will be observed. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DAYANE DE OLIVEIRA MACEDO; LETÍCIA MENDES DE FREITAS; MARCOS EDUARDO SCHEICHER. Preensão palmar e mobilidade funcional em idosos com diferentes níveis de atividade física. Fisioter. Pesqui., v. 21, n. 2, p. 151-155, 2014-04-00. (11/20077-2)