RESUMO
Tai chi is a fundamental tool that has a significant influence on balance, motor function and fear of falling among older adults. The objective of the study was to verify functional fitness and fall risk in older adults (OA) practitioners and non-practitioners of Tai Chi. An ex-post-facto study was carried out in practicing and non-practicing OA of Tai chi. The sample selection was non-probabilistic (convenience). Thirty-one adults with an age range of 65 to 80 years were studied. Two study groups were formed: Group practicing Tai Chi [GPT (n= 15 subjects)] and Group not practicing Tai Chi [GNPT (n= 16 subjects)]. Age, weight, height, waist circumference were assessed. Body mass index (BMI) and fat mass (FM) were calculated. Five functional fitness tests were assessed: biceps curl (30sec), Chair stand (30sec), agility (sec), 2min walk (#rep) and 6min-1 walk (m). Fall risk was measured using a 13-item scale. The GPT showed better performance in all five functional fitness tests (biceps curl, Chair stand, agility, 2min gait and 6min walk) compared to the GPT. The effect size (ES: ~0.20 to 0.48) and Cohen's d (~ 0.39 to 1.10) between both groups were medium to large. There were also differences between the mean values in fall risk between both groups (GNPT: 2.1±1.7points and GNPT: 4.7±1.9points, p<0.05). This study demonstrated that the group of OA practicing Tai Chi presented better levels of functional fitness and less risk of falling in relation to their counterparts who did not practice Tai Chi. These results suggest including this type of old-time exercise in physical activity programs that promote functional fitness wellness and fall prevention among OA.
RESUMO
Introduction: Measurement of hand grip strength (HGS) has been proposed as a key component of frailty and has also been suggested as a central biomarker of healthy aging and a powerful predictor of future morbidity and mortality. Objectives: (a) To determine whether a nonlinear relationship model could improve the prediction of handgrip strength (HGS) compared to the linear model and (b) to propose percentiles to evaluate HGS according to age and sex for a regional population of Chile from infancy to senescence. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was developed in a representative sample of the Maule region (Chile). The volunteers amounted to 5,376 participants (2,840 men and 2,536 women), with an age range from 6 to 80 years old. Weight, height, HGS (right and left hand) according to age and sex were evaluated. Percentiles were calculated using the LMS method [(L (Lambda; asymmetry), M (Mu; median), and S (Sigma; coefficient of variation)]. Results and discussion: There were no differences in HGS from 6 to 11 years of age in both sexes; however, from 12 years of age onwards, males presented higher HGS values in both hands (p < 0.05). The linear regression between age with HGS showed values of R 2 = 0.07 in males and R 2 = 0.02 in females. While in the non-linear model (cubic), the values were: R 2 = 0.50 to 0.51 in men and R 2 = 0.26 in women. The percentiles constructed by age and sex were: P5, P15, P50, P85, and P95 by age range and sex. This study demonstrated that there is a nonlinear relationship between chronological age with HGS from infancy to senescence. Furthermore, the proposed percentiles can serve as a guide to assess and monitor upper extremity muscle strength levels at all stages of life.