Impact of Social Isolation on Physical Activity and Factors Associated With Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective was to analyze the impact of social isolation on moderate physical activity and factors associated with sedentary behavior of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study involving 111 older adults (aged 71.0 ± 6.87 years). The data were collected at two time points: in November 2019 and in June 2020. There was a decline in moderate physical activity when the minutes/week were compared before and during social isolation (p < .001). Sedentary behavior was associated with the condition of living alone. Older adults who lived alone were 3.29 times more likely to spend 4 hr or more in sedentary behavior than those who lived with a partner (95% confidence interval [1.01, 10.74]). Government agencies must establish PA-related health promotion strategies, especially in developing and low-income countries. Therefore, home exercises need to be encouraged to prevent the consequences of this pandemic period.

Association of Physical Activity With Urinary Incontinence in Older Women: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientific evidence on the association of physical activity with urinary incontinence in older women. DESIGN: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and ScienceDirect. Observational studies were included. The following search terms were used: urinary incontinence, older adult, and physical activity. Methodological quality was assessed using the checklist proposed by Downs and Black. RESULTS: Ten articles were included. Sedentary lifestyle and <150 min/week of physical activity are at risk of developing urinary incontinence. Walking (at least 30 min) and physical activities (600-1,500 and 600 METs/min per week) prevent urinary incontinence. Seven of the 10 studies indicated a good level of methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary lifestyle is at risk of urinary incontinence, and walking, moderate and vigorous physical activities are associated with prevention of urinary incontinence.

Age-related changes of grip force control in physically active adults.

The age-related changes for controlling grip force in adults who practice regular and supervised physical activity have not been investigated. Fifty-five physically active adults ages 50 years and older and a group of 20 young adults (18-30 years old) performed a task of grasping and lifting an object. The grip force and the object's acceleration were recorded and used to calculate the parameters of grip force control. The levels of daily physical activities were also examined in all age groups. There were no differences in grip force control between the age groups. Conversely, the group over 76 years old used stronger grip force and increased latency (the time from grip force application to the time the object is lifted off the table) to manipulate the object. The results of this study suggest that middle-aged and older adults who exercise regularly can reduce or delay the possible grip force control deficits associated with aging.

Urinary incontinence and perineal muscle function in physically active and sedentary elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of urinary incontinence and compare perineal muscle function among physically active and sedentary older women. METHODS: The sample consisted of 39 elderly women, 28 of whom got regular physical activity (AG) and 11 did not (SG). We collected data on risk factors for pelvic floor weakness and the presence of urinary incontinence (UI). The evaluation of perineal function was performed using PERFECT and perineometry. The data were processed with descriptive (simple frequencies, percentages, measures of position and dispersion) and inferential statistics (Chi-square or Fisher Exact Test, when necessary, and Mann-Whitney) with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was a higher mean age (p=0.04) in AG. The occurrence of UI in the sample was 56.4%. Urge UI was associated with SG (p=0.022). All PERFECT variables were higher in AG than SG, with significant differences for the variables "repetitions" (p=0.008) and "fast" (p=0.022). Perineometry revealed that fast twitch fibers (p=0.008) and slow twitch fibers (p=0.05) were higher in the AG. CONCLUSION: AG had better pelvic floor muscle function. However, the prevalence of UI was higher in this group, which suggested the influence of age on the urinary continence mechanism.

Urinary incontinence and perineal muscle function in physically active and sedentary elderly women / Incontinência urinária e função muscular perineal em idosas praticantes e não-praticantes de atividade física regular

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of urinary incontinence and compare perineal muscle function among physically active and sedentary older women. METHODS: The sample consisted of 39 elderly women, 28 of whom got regular physical activity (AG) and 11 did not (SG). We collected data on risk factors for pelvic floor weakness and the presence of urinary incontinence (UI). The evaluation of perineal function was performed using PERFECT and perineometry. The data were processed with descriptive (simple frequencies, percentages, measures of position and dispersion) and inferential statistics (Chi-square or Fisher Exact Test, when necessary, and Mann-Whitney) with a significance level of 5 percent. RESULTS: There was a higher mean age (p=0.04) in AG. The occurrence of UI in the sample was 56.4 percent. Urge UI was associated with SG (p=0.022). All PERFECT variables were higher in AG than SG, with significant differences for the variables "repetitions" (p=0.008) and "fast" (p=0.022). Perineometry revealed that fast twitch fibers (p=0.008) and slow twitch fibers (p=0.05) were higher in the AG. CONCLUSION: AG had better pelvic floor muscle function. However, the prevalence of UI was higher in this group, which suggested the influence of age on the urinary continence mechanism.

OBJETIVO: Identificar a presença de incontinência urinária (IU) e comparar a função muscular perineal entre idosas praticantes e não-praticantes de atividade física regular. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 39 idosas, sendo 28 praticantes (GP) e 11 não-praticantes de atividade física regular (GNP). Foram coletados dados referentes aos fatores de risco para enfraquecimento do assoalho pélvico e presença de IU. A avaliação da função perineal foi feita por meio do esquema PERFECT e da perineometria. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva (frequência simples, porcentagem, medidas de posição e dispersão) e inferencial (teste do qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, quando necessário, e teste de Mann-Whitney). O nível de significância adotado foi de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: A variável idade (p=0,04) apresentou média superior no GP. A ocorrência de IU na amostra foi de 56,4 por cento. A IU de urgência associou-se com o GNP (p=0,022). Todas as variáveis do esquema PERFECT foram superiores entre as idosas do GP em relação ao GNP, com diferença significativa para a variável repetições (p=0,008) e rapidez (p=0,022). Na perineometria, as funções das fibras de contração rápida (p=0,008) e das fibras de contração lenta (p=0,05) foram superiores no GP. CONCLUSÃO: As idosas do GP apresentam melhor função muscular do assoalho pélvico. Entretanto, a prevalência de IU foi maior nesse grupo, sugerindo influência da variável idade no mecanismo de continência urinária.

Predictive values at risk of falling in physically active and no active elderly with Berg Balance Scale.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of falls are a major cause of autonomy and independence loss among the elderly. In this context, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) has been widely used to detect the risk of falls in elderly. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of the BBS for fall risk in physically active and inactive elderly subjects. METHODS: The sample included 188 older adults with a mean age of 66 (±9) years. Of these, 91 participated in a regular physical activity program and 96 did not. We analyzed the cut-off scores of 45, 47, 49, 51 and 53 in both groups regarding the sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the test, including the positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (RVN) for diagnosing the risk of falls. RESULTS: The mean BBS score was 54.7 in physically active subjects and 50.8 in inactive subjects, which was statistically significant (ρ=0.001). The best cut-off was a score of 49 for physically inactive subjects, with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 92%. On the other hand, the BBS had low sensitivity (from 0 to 15%) and high specificity (between 83% and 100%) for physically active subjects at the cut-off points analyzed. CONCLUSION: The scale did not achieve sufficient sensitivity to individual differences among physically active older people with higher levels of functional balance ability.

Predictive values at risk of falling in physically active and no active elderly with Berg Balance Scale / Valores preditivos para o risco de queda em idosos praticantes e não praticantes de atividade física por meio do uso da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg

BACKGROUND: The consequences of falls are a major cause of autonomy and independence loss among the elderly. In this context, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) has been widely used to detect the risk of falls in elderly. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of the BBS for fall risk in physically active and inactive elderly subjects. METHODS: The sample included 188 older adults with a mean age of 66 (±9) years. Of these, 91 participated in a regular physical activity program and 96 did not. We analyzed the cut-off scores of 45, 47, 49, 51 and 53 in both groups regarding the sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the test, including the positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (RVN) for diagnosing the risk of falls. RESULTS: The mean BBS score was 54.7 in physically active subjects and 50.8 in inactive subjects, which was statistically significant (ρ=0.001). The best cut-off was a score of 49 for physically inactive subjects, with a sensitivity of 91 percent and a specificity of 92 percent. On the other hand, the BBS had low sensitivity (from 0 to 15 percent) and high specificity (between 83 percent and 100 percent) for physically active subjects at the cut-off points analyzed. CONCLUSION: The scale did not achieve sufficient sensitivity to individual differences among physically active older people with higher levels of functional balance ability.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Umas das principais causas da perda da autonomia e independência do idoso são as consequências geradas pelas quedas. Nesse contexto, a Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB) vem sendo amplamente utilizada para detectar o risco de queda em idosos. Objetivo: Analisar os valores preditivos para o risco de queda em idosos praticantes e não-praticantes de atividade física por meio do uso da EEB. MÉTODOS: Participaram 188 idosos, com média de idade de 66 (±9) anos. Desses, 91 participavam de projetos de atividades físicas, e 96 não praticavam atividade física regularmente. Foram analisados os pontos de corte 45, 47, 49, 51 e 53 em ambos os grupos, quanto à sensibilidade (S), especificidade (E), valor preditivo positivo (VPP) e negativo (VPN) do teste, razão de verossimilhança positiva (RVP) e negativa (RVN) para diagnóstico do risco de queda. RESULTADOS: Evidenciou-se que a média do escore da EEB nos praticantes de atividade física foi de 54,7 pontos; enquanto que, entre os não-praticantes, foi de 50,8, obtendo-se diferença significativa entre os grupos (ρ=0,001). Nos sujeitos não-praticantes de atividade física, o melhor ponto de corte foi em 49 pontos, apresentando S de 91 por cento e E de 92 por cento, enquanto a EEB apresentou baixa S, variando entre 0 por cento e 15 por cento, e alta E, variando entre 83 por cento e 100 por cento nos sujeitos praticantes de atividade física regular nos pontos de corte analisados. CONCLUSÃO: A escala não alcançou S suficiente para diferenças individuais entre idosos com altos níveis de capacidade de equilíbrio dentre aqueles que praticam atividades físicas regularmente.