ABSTRACT. The aging process brings changes to one's body balance and may trigger a fear of falling. The aim of this study was to compare and verify correlation between different methods that assess body balance among elderly individuals who exercise, according to different levels of fear of falling. The sample was composed of 186 individuals (68.28±6.years) who exercise. Balance assessment used Timed Up and Go, Unipedal Stance, Sitting-Rising and Functional Reach tests. A question about fear of falling was applied in the form of an interview. Statistical analysis used Spearman and Kruskall Wallis correlation. In results, Timed Up and Go (7.13±1.6s), Unipedal Stance (20.52±9.9s), Sitting-Rising (12.43s±3.2s) and Functional Reach (29.51±6.5) showed significant correlation with fear of falling. Individuals less afraid of falling showed better balance performance when compared to those not afraid of falling. In conclusion, better balance performance can contribute to decreasing fear of falling.Keywords: aging, body balance, motor activity.Equilíbrio em idosos praticantes de atividade física com diferentes níveis de medo de cair RESUMO. Com o envelhecimento há alterações no equilíbrio, podendo desencadear o medo de cair. O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar e verificar a relação de distintos métodos de avaliação do equilíbrio corporal em idosos praticantes de atividade física, segundo os diferentes níveis de medo de cair. A amostra foi composta por 186 indivíduos (68,28±6,7anos) praticantes de atividade física. Para avaliar o equilíbrio, utilizou-se o Timed Up and Go, Apoio Unipodal, Sentar e Levantar e Alcance Funcional. Foi aplicado, em forma de entrevista, questão sobre o medo de cair. Na análise estatística utilizou-se correlação de Spearman e Kruskall Wallis. Nos resultados, o Timed Up and Go (7,13±1,6s), Apoio Unipodal (20,52±9,9s), Sentar e Levantar (12,43s±3,2s) e Alcance Funcional (29,51±6,5) apresentaram relação significativa com o medo de cair. Os indivíduos com menos medo de cair apresentaram melhor desempenho de equilíbrio quando comparados com indivíduos sem medo de cair. Dessa forma, o melhor desempenho no equilíbrio pode contribuir para uma diminuição do medo de cair.Palavras-chave: envelhecimento, equilíbrio postural, atividade motora.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.