Performance analysis of women over 55 years on abdominaltests: impact of anthropometry and flexibility

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anthropometric variables and flexibility on the performance of women aged 55+ years on abdominal test protocols. The sample was composed by 20 physically active volunteers, aged 55 years (median 61), who were participants in gymnastic activities program. Each volunteer performed two abdominal tests: partial trunk flexion with a 7.6 cm sliding of the hands (P1) and partial flexion of the trunk with the hands on the thighs (P2), both executed with the feet resting on the ground. For analysis, the number of correct executions (final position) was considered in each test, as recommended by the authors. Measurements of body mass, flexibility, height, waist and hip perimeters, subjective perception of exertion, and calculations of body mass index and waist-hip ratio were performed. The perception of abdominal effort, and discomfort or pain in the cervical and lumbar region were also evaluated. The results showed that there were no statistically significant associations between the analyzed indicators (Age: P1: rs = -0.024, p = 0.916; P2: rs = -0.194, p = 0.407; BMI: P1: rs =-0.064, p = 0.792; P2: rs = -0.235, p= 0.327; Waist Circumference: P1: rs = -0.143, p = 0.563; P2: rs = 0.027, p = 0.908; Flexibility: r s= -0.327, p = 0.169; P2: rs = 0.0009, p = 0.991; Hip waist ratio: P1: rs = -0.209, p = 0.371; P2: rs = 0.217, p = 0.353) and the performance on the tests. In addition, 35% of the participants made valid attempts on P1 while 45% produced at least one valid attempt on P2. It was concluded that both abdominal tests were adequate for the studied sample and they can be applied to adult and elderly women to assess their abdominal musculature.(AU)

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de las variables las antropométricas y la flexibilidad sobre el desempeño de mujeres mayores de 55 años en protocolos de testes abdominales. La muestra, seleccionada por criterio de accesibilidad, estuvo formada por 20 voluntarias físicamente activas, mayores de 55 años (mediana 61), que participaban en actividades gimnásticas para personas mayores. Cada voluntaria realizó dos pruebas abdominales: flexión parcial del tronco con deslizamiento de las manos de 7,6 cm (P1) y flexión parcial del tronco con las manos en los muslos (P2), ambas ejecutadas con los pies apoyados en el suelo. Para el análisis, se consideró el número de ejecuciones correctas (posición final) en cada prueba, según lo recomendado por los autores. Se realizaron mediciones de masa corporal, flexibilidad, altura, perímetro de cintura y cadera, percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo y cálculos del índice de masa corporal y la relación cintura-cadera. También se evaluó la percepción de esfuerzo abdominal y de malestar o dolor en la región cervical y lumbar. Los resultados mostraron que no hubo asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre las variables analizadas (Edad: P1: rs = -0,024, p = 0,916; P2: rs = -0,194, p = 0,407; IMC: P1: rs =-0,064, p = 0,792; P2: rs = -0,235, p = 0,327; Perímetro de cintura: P1: rs = -0,143, p = 0,563; P2: rs = 0,027, p = 0,908; Flexibilidad: rs = -0,327, p = 0,169; P2: rs = 0,0009, p = 0,991; Relación cintura/cadera: P1: rs = -0,209, p = 0,371; P2: rs = 0,217, p = 0,353) y el desempeño en las pruebas, y el 35% de las participantes hicieron intentos válidos en P1 mientras que el 45% produjo al menos un intento válido en P2. Se concluyó que ambas pruebas abdominales fueron adecuadas para la muestra estudiada y se pueden aplicar a mujeres adultas y mayores para evaluar su musculatura abdominal.(AU)

Influence of aging on isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass and electromyographic signal power of the upper and lower limbs in women / Influência do envelhecimento na força muscular isométrica, na massa livre de gordura e na potência do sinal eletromiográfico dos membros superiores e inferiores de mulheres

Background: Aging is a multifactorial process that leads to changes in the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle and contributes to decreased levels of muscle strength. Objective: This study sought to investigate whether the isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass (FFM) and power of the electromyographic (EMG) signal of the upper and lower limbs of women are similarly affected by aging. Method: The sample consisted of 63 women, who were subdivided into three groups (young (YO) n=33, 24.7±3.5 years; middle age (MA) n=15, 58.6±4.2 years; and older adults (OA). n=15, 72.0±4.2 years). Isometric strength was recorded simultaneously with the capture of the electrical activity of the flexor muscles of the fingers and the vastus lateralis during handgrip and knee extension tests, respectively. FFM was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The handgrip strength measurements were similar among groups (p=0.523), whereas the FFM of the upper limbs was lower in group OA compared to group YO (p=0.108). The RMSn values of the hand flexors were similar among groups (p=0.754). However, the strength of the knee extensors, the FFM of the lower limbs and the RMSn values of the vastus lateralis were lower in groups MA (p=0.014, p=0.006 and p=0.013, respectively) and OA (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p<0.000, respectively) compared to group YO. Conclusions : The results of this study demonstrate that changes in isometric muscle strength in MLG and electromyographic activity of the lower limbs are more pronounced with the aging process of the upper limb. .

Contextualização: O envelhecimento é um processo multifatorial que provoca mudanças na quantidade e na qualidade da musculatura esquelética, ambas contribuindo para a diminuição dos níveis de força muscular. Objetivo: Investigar se a força muscular isométrica, a massa livre de gordura (MLG) e a potência do sinal eletromiográfico dos membros superiores e inferiores de mulheres são afetadas na mesma magnitude pelo envelhecimento. Método: A amostra foi constituída por 63 mulheres subdividas em três grupos (JO, n=33 jovens, 24,7±3,5 anos; MI, n=15, 58,6±4,2 anos; ID, n=15, 72,0±4,2 anos). A força isométrica foi registrada simultaneamente à captação da atividade elétrica dos músculos flexores dos dedos e vasto lateral durante os testes de preensão manual e de extensão do joelho, respectivamente. A MLG foi avaliada por meio da absortometria radiológica de dupla energia. Resultados: A força de preensão manual foi semelhante entre os grupos (p=0,523), a MLG do membro superior foi menor no grupo ID em relação ao JO (p=0,108), e os valores da variável root mean square normalizados pela MLG do membro dominante (RMSn) foram semelhantes entre os grupos (p=0,754). Entretanto, a força dos extensores do joelho, a MLG do membro inferior e os valores RMSn foram menores nos grupos MI (p=0,014, p=0,006 e p=0,013, respectivamente) e ID (p=0,000, p=0,000 e p<0,000, respectivamente). Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que as alterações na força muscular isométrica, na MLG e na atividade eletromiográfica dos membros inferiores são mais pronunciadas com o processo de envelhecimento do que a dos membros superiores. .

Influence of aging on isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass and electromyographic signal power of the upper and lower limbs in women.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a multifactorial process that leads to changes in the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle and contributes to decreased levels of muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate whether the isometric muscle strength, fat-free mass (FFM) and power of the electromyographic (EMG) signal of the upper and lower limbs of women are similarly affected by aging. METHOD: The sample consisted of 63 women, who were subdivided into three groups (young (YO) n=33, 24.7 ± 3.5 years; middle age (MA) n=15, 58.6 ± 4.2 years; and older adults (OA). n=15, 72.0 ± 4.2 years). Isometric strength was recorded simultaneously with the capture of the electrical activity of the flexor muscles of the fingers and the vastus lateralis during handgrip and knee extension tests, respectively. FFM was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The handgrip strength measurements were similar among groups (p=0.523), whereas the FFM of the upper limbs was lower in group OA compared to group YO (p=0.108). The RMSn values of the hand flexors were similar among groups (p=0.754). However, the strength of the knee extensors, the FFM of the lower limbs and the RMSn values of the vastus lateralis were lower in groups MA (p=0.014, p=0.006 and p=0.013, respectively) and OA (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p<0.000, respectively) compared to group YO. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that changes in isometric muscle strength in MLG and electromyographic activity of the lower limbs are more pronounced with the aging process of the upper limb.

Avaliação da percepção subjetiva de esforço e da freqüência cardíaca em mulheres adultas durante aulas de hidroginástica / Evaluation of the subjective sensation of effort and cardiac frequency in adult women during aquatic exercises

A hidroginástica objetiva melhorar ou manter níveis de aptidão física relacionados à saúde, especialmente emadultos. No planejamento das aulas de hidroginástica, um dos aspectos que merece atenção refere-se à intensidade do exercício no meio líquido e sua forma de controle. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e a freqüência cardíaca (FC; bpm) em mulheres adultas, durante aulas de hidroginástica. Participaram doze mulheres (51,1 + 1,6 anos), praticantes da modalidade há pelo menos 3 meses. A FC foi mensurada por freqüencímetros e a PSE foi obtida através da Escala de Borg (15 pontos). Os dados foram coletados em três momentos distintos (aos 10, 20 e30 minutos de cada aula), durante a realização de três seções de hidroginástica, distribuídas ao longo de uma semana. A análise estatística empregou o teste Anova e correlação de pearson, com nível de significância de 0,05. Para a FC, encontrou-se diferença signifi cativa aos 10 minutos entre a 1ª e 3ª aula, e aos 20 minutos entre a 1ª e 2 ª aula. Para a PSE, não houve diferença signifi cativa entre suas médias. Observou-se relação entre FC e PSE somente aos 30 minutos da 1ªe da 2ª aula. Concluiu-se que a escala de Borg não foi um bom método para controle de intensidade durante as aulas de hidroginástica para o grupo estudado...

Aquatic exercises is one of many physical activity options, where the objective is to improve or maintain levelsof health, especially in adults. However, one of aspect that merits attention is the intensity of exercise and the means bywhich it is controlled. The objective of this study was to compare the subjective sensation of effort (PSE) with heart rate (HR; bpm), in 49 to 53-year-old women, during aquatic exercises. Twelve women participated of this study (51,1 years + 1,6),all of whom had been participating in this modality for at least 3 months. The HR was measured by Polar and the PSE was arrived at using the Borg Scale. Data were collected at three distinct points (10, 20 and 30 minutes), during three aquatic exercise workouts. Statistical analysis employed StudentÆs t test and ANOVA to a level of signifi cance of 0,05. Signifi cantdifferences were detected in HR between the fi rst and third workouts at 10 minutes and the fi rst and second workouts at 20 minutes. There were no signifi cant differences between mean PSE values. There was a correlation between HR and PSE at 30 minutes of the fi rst and second workouts. We therefore conclude that the Borg scale is not a good method for intensity control during aquatic exercises for this group...