Abstract
Abstract Introduction: The aging process causes losses that lead to decreased balance, gait speed and functional capacity and, therefore, there is a need of specific protocols to work preventively these variables, which will contribute to the decrease in the frequency of falls in this population. Objective: Verify the effect of a program of multisensory and closed kinetic chain exercises on the functional capacity and balance in elderly women. Methods: Randomized clinical trial masked (blind). Subjects were 32 elderly women from the Centro de Convivência of the Bauru Department of Social Welfare (Secretaria de Bem-Estar Social de Bauru) distributed in two groups: control (CG = 15) and experimental (EG = 17). Interventions: The program of multisensory and closed kinetic chain exercises was applied during an hour, once a week, for 12 weeks. Main measures: Functional capacity was measured by Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the 10-meter walking test (TC10) and their balance by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: Regarding the comparison between the moments M1 and M2 of the EG after the intervention, there was a statistically significant increase in the functional capability (p = 0.00006), walking speed (p = 0.0008) and balance (p = 0.0006). Conclusion: The multisensory and closed kinetic chain-training program indicated a beneficial effect in the improvement of the elderly women balance and functional performance.
Highlights
Introduction: The aging process causes losses that lead to decreased balance, gait speed and functional capacity and, there is a need of specific protocols to work preventively these variables, which will contribute to the decrease in the frequency of falls in this population
Interventions: The program of multisensory and closed kinetic chain exercises was applied during an hour, once a week, for 12 weeks
Main measures: Functional capacity was measured by Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the 10-meter walking test (TC10) and their balance by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Summary
The aging process causes losses that lead to decreased balance, gait speed and functional capacity and, there is a need of specific protocols to work preventively these variables, which will contribute to the decrease in the frequency of falls in this population. Evidences from 2000 show that 5.85% of the Brazilian population was over the age of 65, conferring Brazil the seventh position in the list of the most aged population in the world – and Brazil is expected to occupy the sixth position in 2025 [1] Associated with this demographic change, there is an increase in morbidities, occurring morphological, functional, biochemical and psychological changes, which result in the reduction of organs and systems functional reserves. With the increase in the population life expectancy and the high financial costs of treating diseases that are prevalent in the old age, the interventions targeted at the elderly must be focused on the preventive aspects, not to healing ones Among these prophylactic interventions, those related to balance maintenance and prevention of falls through physical exercises stand out, pointed to by some studies [4 - 6]
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