Avaliação da função pulmonar e da capacidade funcional de um grupo de idosos da cidade de Uberlândia - MG

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is a dynamic, progressive, natural and irreversible event marked by the demographic transition with decreasing fertility rates and an increase in life expectancy. It is estimated that , in 2025 Brazil occupy the sixth position of countries with greater number of elderly in the world. Despite being considered biological, senility reflects in general alterations in health of the individual which contributes to decrease of the functional capacity. Objective: To evaluate the pulmonary function and functional capacity of elderly group who attended a social organization in Uberlândia-MG. Methods: The initial sample consisted of 43 elderly individuals, who answered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess the level of physical activity, have evaluated respiratory muscle strength using manovacuometry, expiratory peak flow torque, and palmar hand grip strength measure by manual dynamometer, and the time up and go test for functional capacity was assessed. Results and Discussion: All participants in the sample were classified as physically active, that is, all included in the study practice some type of physical activity, being low, moderate or high intensity according to the results. Results obtained regarding expiratory peak flow and dynamometry demonstrated that higher individual's Expiratory peak flow, was associated to greater palmar hand grip strength. Evaluating dynamometry and manovacuometry the results showed that higher Palmar Hold Force, was associated to, higher Maximum Expiratory Pressure. Strength of the musculature that provides both inspiration (Maximum Inspiratory Pressure) and expiration (Maximum Expiratory Pressure) of the studied group was considered balanced, not being considered one superior to another. Functional capacity assessment have shown that smokers had reduced functional capacity compared to non smokers in female group. Results were not significant in males, which may have occurred due to the small number of participants. Conclusion: Based in our results, we can conclude that practice of physical activity improved pulmonary function, as well functional capacity in this group of elderly.