Comparison of balance and electromyographic activity between elderly practitioners and non practitioners sports activity

• Grant number: 11/20079-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Eduardo Scheicher
• Grantee: Letícia Mendes de Freitas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências (FFC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Marília. Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The elderly population is currently the fastest growing in the world, projecting to have a population increase of 1.2 billion Brazilian elderly by 2025, which classifies Brazil as a country with the sixth largest elderly population of the planet. This rapid growth in this social group implies a demand for a greater attention devoted to this group. Promoting appropriate health measures for "active aging" is one of the biggest challenges in this feild. One of the most significant practices, that has shown positive results is the practice of regular physical exercise. This practice has emerged as a direct agent in the reduction and prevention of diseases caused by the aging process and it is recommended by the Boards of Medicine and Sports Medicine, titled as a term now known as "active aging". The factors essential in maintaining the independence of the elderly and the preservation of balance and muscle integrity as they age is to expose the elderly to regular various exercises. It is a complex set of factors, acting directly upon their movement and ability to carrying out activities of daily life that cause this degeneration. Objective: To compare the electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and vastus lateralis and compare the results obtained in the Berg Balance Scale both in a group participating in a sports activity, and in a group of sedentary participants, and then correlate between the two. Methodology: The population studied will consist of 60 elderly, 40 active elderly, among these. Within the 40 active elderly, 20 elderly participate in sports activity, only 20 in non-specific activity.The remaining 20 are only sedentary elderly. The data will be compared between the three groups. The Surface Electromyography will measure the electrical activity of muscles and Functional Balance, while the ScaleBerg is a predictor of risk of falls in the elderly. Used will be the appropriate statistical tests for the comparison of variables.In all statistical tests significance level of pd0.05 will be observed. (AU)