Variability in Obstacle Clearance May (Not) Indicate Cognitive Disorders in Alzheimer Disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate obstacle clearance and its variability in individuals with Alzheimer dementia (AD) as well as healthy elderly individuals while they approached and crossed an obstacle in their path. Fifteen people with AD and 15 age-matched/sex-matched healthy individuals (control group) participated in this study. Clinical assessment of both groups was performed by a neuropsychiatrist. Spatial-temporal parameters of 5 trials of unobstructed walking and 5 trials of obstacle crossing during walking (approach and crossing phases) were measured using a 3-dimensional optoelectronic system. The results indicated that individuals with AD showed higher variability in the approach phase for stride length and the horizontal distance from their trailing limb foot to the obstacle. However, their gait variability in the crossing phase was similar to the control group. In addition, the individuals with AD were found to walk slowly and with a short stride length in both conditions. In conclusion, individuals with AD had increased gait variability while approaching an obstacle during walking, indicating a deficit in planning to avoid obstacles that could be related to cognitive disorders. However, gait variability during the crossing phase may not be indicative of cognitive disorders in AD.

Valores normativos de aptidão funcional em mulheres de 70 a 79 anos / Normative values of functional fitness in 70-to-79 year-old women

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver valores normativos de componentes específi cos (fl exibilidade; coordenação; agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico; força; e capacidade aeróbia) e global de aptidão funcional (IAFG) para mulheres de 70 a 79 anos. Foram avaliados, por meio da bateria de testes da AAHPERD, 175 idosas residentes em Florianópolis/SC e Rio Claro/SP, que realizavamatividade física sistematizada há pelo menos 6 meses. A bateria de testes é composta por cinco testes para avaliar fl exibilidade, coordenação, equilíbrio e agilidade, força e capacidade aeróbia. Os percentis foram calculados para os escores originais em cada teste, e a soma dos percentis foi usada como o IAFG. Foram utilizados como pontos de corte os percentis 20, 40, 60 e 80 para gerar as classificaçães: muito fraco, fraco, regular, bom e muito bom, respectivamente. Os resultados dos testes para cada componente deaptidão funcional variaram dentro dos limites das faixas de percentis calculadas e adotadas para as classifi caçães. Escores maiores que 14,5 ou menores que 10,1 segundos para coordenação; menores que 17 ou maiores que 25 repetiçães para força; menores que 49 ou maiores que 71 centímetros para flexibilidade; maiores que 28,9 ou menores que 22,7 segundos para agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico; e maiores que 601 ou menores que 504 segundos para capacidade aeróbia foram classificados como muito fracos oumuito bons, respectivamente. Da mesma maneira, a soma dos percentis de todos os cinco testes menor que 100 ou maior que 399 foi classifi cada como aptidão funcional global muito fraca ou muito boa, respectivamente. O desenvolvimento de valores normativospode servir como referência aos profi ssionais, para que possam melhor avaliar, orientar e prescrever atividade física...

The aim of this study was to develop reference values for normality for specifi c components (fl exibility; coordination; agility and balance; strength; and aerobic capacity) and overall functional fi tness (OFF), in 70 to 79-year-old women. The sample comprised 175 older women resident in either Florianópolis, SC or Rio Claro, SP, both in Brazil. Subjects had all been participating in structured and supervised physical activities on a regular basis for the previous six months. Specifi c components were assessed by means of the AAHPERD battery of tests. This battery comprises fi ve motor tests designed to measure the six elements of functional fi tness described previously. Percentilescoreswere calculated from raw scores for each of the tests and the sum of percentiles was used as the OFF index. The 20th, 40th, 60th and 80th percentiles were taken as limits for classifying both the components and the OFF as very weak; weak; fair; good or very good, respectively. Tests results for each of the components of functional fi tness varied within the calculated range of percentiles adopted forclassifi cation. Scores above 14.5 or below 10.1 seconds for coordination; less than 17 or more than 25 repetitions for strength; less than 49 or more than 71 centimeters for fl exibility; above 28.9 or below 22.7 seconds for agility and dynamic balance; and above 601 or below 504 seconds for aerobic capacity were classifi ed as very weak or very good, respectively. Similarly, the sum of percentiles of all tests lower than 100 or higher than 399 were classifi ed as very weak or very good overall functional fi tness, respectively. The reference values developed by this study should help professionals to better evaluate, prescribe and supervise physical activities for the elderly...