Physical Activity Relationship With Upper And Lower Limb Strengthamong Active Elderly

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the association of physical activity intensities and sedentary behavior with upper and lower limb strength in active elderly. METHODS: The study is part of the Longitudinal Aging and Physical Fitness Project of São Caetano do Sul-Brazil. A convenient sample consisted of 93 women and 15 men, with a mean age of 67.9 years-old was submitted to evaluations between 2018 and 2019. The variables analyzed were: upper limb strength (kg) by handgrip test, and the rising from chair in 30 seconds test (repetitions). Physical activity intensities and sedentary behavior were measured using accelerometer, analyzed by Copeland Eldersly 2009. Statistics analysis included a Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Spearman rho test. A level of p < 0.5 was taken as significant. SPSS 20.0 statistical program. RESULTS: In women, there was only a significant, positive, and weak association (r = .30) between moderate to vigorous physical activity with lower limb strength. On the hand, men presented a significant, positive, and strong association among low light PA (r = .75), and high light PA (r = .66), and moderate to vigorous PA (r = .71) with lower limb strength. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that physical activity at all intensities positively influenced the strength of the lower limbs of men and moderate to vigorous physical activity positively influenced the strength of the limbs of women, showing us that the more active the better the strength markers of this population. We did not find significant associations between different physical activity intensities with upper limb strength; sedentary behavior did not influence upper and lower limb strength in both groups.