EVOLUTION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PROFILE OF ACTIVE ELDERLY WOMEN IN ONE-YEAR PERIOD AS RELATED TO CHRONOLOGICAL AGE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the evolution of anthropometric profile in active elderly women in one-year period as related to chronological age at the baseline. The sample consisted of 117 women from 50 to 79 years of age (x: 65 ± 6.6 years) divided in three age groups: A: 50–59 (n:23); B:60–69 (n:60); C: 70–79 (n:34). They were involved in an aerobic program that included low impact aerobics and stretching activities, twice a week, 50 minutes per session during 5.4 ± 3.0 years. This group is part of The Longitudinal Study of Aging and Physical Fitness which has been evaluating a group of active elderly men and women every six months since 1997. The anthropometric variables included: body weight (BW), body height (BH), body mass index (BMI), skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac), arm (AG) and leg girths (LG), waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumferences, and waist/hip ratio (WHR). Results at the baseline (B) and in two evaluations (I,II) made at 6-month interval were compared using a Two Way ANOVA, with a post-hoc Scheffé (*p < .01). Results of BMI, skinfolds (SKF) and WHR were as follows: Values of BH, AG, LG, WC and HC showed a similar trend as presented for the other ones according to chronological age. There were no statistical differences (p>.01) for any of the anthropometric variables among the three age groups during the period of one year. During the period of one year, all of the anthropometric varables analyzed remained stable in active women over 50, regardless the chronological age at the baseline. These data suggested that women engage in regular physical activity are able to maintain their body composition profile regardless their chronological age during the aging process.Table