Physiological risk of falls, physical and aerobic capacity in community-dwelling elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Falls are multifactorial and are related to the aging process, reduced functional capacity, comorbidities, sensory deficits, muscle weakness, postural instability and decreased protective response. Objective: To verify the correlation between physiological risk of falls and physical and aerobic capacity of the community-dwelling elderly. Method: Participated elderly individuals from the community, aged ≥65 years, without distinction of sex, race, and/or social class. We excluded cognitive impairments, locomotion incapacity, neurological diseases or sequelae, and/or severe pain that prevented the performance of the tests. We evaluated risk of falls (Physiological Profile Assessment - PPA), physical capacity (Short Physical Performance Battery - SPPB) and aerobic capacity (Shuttle Walk Test - ISWT). Results: Participated 59 elderly (71.8±5.0 ys). The mean performance in PPA was 0.4±0.4; SPPB was 10.4±1.7 and ISWT was 281±111.7 meters. PPA presented a moderate and statistically significant correlation (P<0.001) for SPPB (r= -0.53) and ISWT (r= -0.46). Conclusion: There is a moderate correlation between the physiological risk of falls (PPA) and functional (SPPB) and aerobic capacity (ISWT). Preventive measures to reduce the risk of falls should include strategies to increase functional and aerobic capacity. It is suggested the systematic use of SPPB in clinical practice.

Short Physical Performance Battery as a Measure of Physical Performance and Mortality Predictor in Older Adults: A Comprehensive Literature Review

“…For instance, recent longitudinal studies also found that the increase in one SPPB unit decreased the probability of falls by 15% and of recurrent falls by 17% over a two-year period. Of note, SPPB domains have not only been associated with falls [37][38][39] but also with sarcopenia [40], frailty [41], dyspnoea [42], postoperative complications [43], cardiovascular diseases [44], increased risk of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [45]., institutionalization, hospitalization and death [25,[46][47][48]. It is also noteworthy that SPPB has been used as tool for predicting disability and physical functional impairment in discharged patients with severe COVID-19 [49].…”

Fototerapia melhora a capacidade muscular em idosos: estudo clínico randomizado cruzado duplo-cego

“…O envelhecimento humano está relacionado com modificações estruturais e funcionais, entre elas a redução da força muscular [2]. As quedas são consideradas um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública na população idosa e estão relacionadas ao declínio da força muscular, equilíbrio, velocidade da marcha e redução da atenção [3,4]. Assim, devido aos fatores associados ao envelhecimento serem responsáveis por causar vulnerabilidade e facilitar o aparecimento de outros agravantes de saúde, manter a independência funcional da pessoa idosa é um dos principais objetivos das estratégias de intervenção [5].…”