Determination of somatotype and physical activity level in frailty older adults

Abstract Aim: To determine the somatotype profile and level of physical activity in older adults. Methods: Seventy-two older adults were divided into two groups: frail (F = 33) and non-frail (NF = 39). Frailty status was determined using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), somatotype using the Heath and Carter method, and physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: Somatotype analysis showed a predominance of endomorphy (F = 6.54 ± 1.65 vs NF = 6.12 ± 2.07 p ≤ 0.350) followed by mesomorphy (F = 3.44 ± 1.62 vs NF = 3.15 ± 2.19, p ≤ 0.531) and ectomorphy (F = 0.82 ± 0.99 vs NF = 0.95 ± 0.86 p ≤ 0.163), but no significant differences were observed between groups. Regarding PA, twenty-eight participants (84.7%) of the F group were classified as sedentary and insufficiently active and twenty-one (53.8%) of NF were classified as active and very active. This difference in PA explains the higher total energy expenditure found in NF (median 1,087.43; IAQ = 3,954.30) when compared to F (median = 0.0; IAQ = 462.64 p ≤ 0.001). The frailty group presented a higher endomorphic component as well as lower levels of physical activity and energy expenditure. Conclusion: Endomorphy was the predominant somatotype in F and NF older adults, followed by mesomorphy and actomorphy this profile can affect activities of daily living, functional capacity, and independent living and be associated with chronic diseases.

Relationship between respiratory muscle strength and grip strength in institutionalized and community-dwelling older adults / Relação entre força muscular respiratória e de preensão palmar em idosos institucionalizados e da comunidade

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and grip strength in institutionalized and communitydwelling older adults. METHODS: This convenience sampled cross-sectional study had 64 voluntary participants with a good general health status and without limiting chronic diseases: 33 were institutionalized and 31 lived in the community. Maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow, grip strength, anthropometric data, and physical activity level were assessed. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation test, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In the institutionalized group, there was no between respiratory variables and grip strength, but maximal expiratory pressure was the respiratory predictor most strongly associated with grip strength (p = 0.04). In the community-dwelling group, there was a correlation between maximal inspiratory pressure and grip strength (r = 0.54), maximal expiratory pressure and grip strength (r = 0.62), and peak expiratory flow and grip strength (r = 0.64); peak expiratory flow and maximal expiratory pressure were the respiratory predictors most strongly associated with grip strength (p < 0.05). In a joint group analysis, there was an association between maximal inspiratory pressure and grip strength (r = 0.40), maximal expiratory pressure and grip strength (r = 0.57), and peak expiratory flow and grip strength (r = 0.57); peak expiratory flow and maximal expiratory pressure were the respiratory predictors most strongly associated with grip strength (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Peak expiratory flow and maximal expiratory pressure seem to be good predictors of grip strength in community-dwelling older adults, but this relationship does not seem to be maintained in institutionalized patients, possibly because of a greater loss of respiratory function.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre força muscular respiratória e força de preensão palmar em idosos institucionalizados e da comunidade. METODOLOGIA: Caracteriza-se por um estudo transversal com 64 voluntários, sendo 33 institucionalizados e 31 da comunidade. Avaliou-se a pressão inspiratória máxima, pressão expiratória máxima, pico de fluxo expiratório, força de preensão palmar, dados antropométricos e nível de atividade física.Os dados foram submetidos a uma análise descritiva, teste de correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão linear. RESULTADOS: No grupo de institucionalizados, não houve correlação entre as variáveis respiratórias e as de força de preensão palmar, porém o preditor respiratório mais fortemente associado à força de preensão palmar foi a pressão expiratória máxima (p = 0,04). No grupo da comunidade, verificou-se correlação entre pressão inspiratória máxima e força de preensão palmar (r = 0,54), pressão expiratória máxima e força de preensão palmar (r = 0,62), pico de fluxo expiratório e força de preensão palmar (r = 0,64), e o preditor respiratório mais fortemente associado à força de preensão palmar foi pico de fluxo expiratório e pressão expiratória máxima (p < 0,05). Na análise conjunta dos grupos, verificou-se associação entre pressão inspiratória máxima e força de preensão palmar (r = 0,40), pressão expiratória máxima e força de preensão palmar (r = 0,57), pico de fluxo expiratório e força de preensão palmar (r = 0,57), e o preditor respiratório mais fortemente associado à força de preensão palmar foi pico de fluxo expiratório e pressão expiratória máxima (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Em idosos da comunidade, o pico de fluxo expiratório e a pressão expiratória máxima parecem ser bons preditores da força de preensão palmar, enquanto, em institucionalizados, essa relação parece não se manter possivelmente por conta de maior acentuação de perda da função respiratória.

Effects of Mat Pilates on Physical Functional Performance of Older Adults: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis aimed to examine evidence from randomized controlled trials to determine the effects of mat Pilates on measures of physical functional performance in the older population. DESIGN: A search was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, and PEDro databases between February and March 2017. Only randomized controlled trials that were written in English, included subjects aged 60 yrs who used mat Pilates exercises, included a comparison (control) group, and reported performance-based measures of physical function (balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness) were included. The methodological quality of the studies was analyzed according to the PEDro scale and the best-evidence synthesis. The meta-analysis was conducted with the Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: The search retrieved 518 articles, nine of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. High methodological quality was found in five of these studies. Meta-analysis indicated a large effect of mat Pilates on dynamic balance (standardized mean difference = 1.10, 95% confidence interval = 0.29-1.90), muscle strength (standardized mean difference = 1.13, 95% confidence interval = 0.30-1.96), flexibility (standardized mean difference = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 0.39-2.04), and cardiorespiratory fitness (standardized mean difference = 1.48, 95% confidence interval = 0.42-2.54) of elderly subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that mat Pilates improves dynamic balance, lower limb strength, hip and lower back flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance in elderly individuals. Furthermore, high-quality studies are necessary to clarify the effects of mat Pilates on other physical functional measurements among older adults.