Efetividade da caminhada sob a força muscular respiratória na população idosa

Abstract

Introduction: The aging of the population tends to increase gradually, with the expectation that by the year 2050 the percentage of elderly people in Brazil will be 30%. Aging causes several changes in the body, mind and function of this population, leading to loss of adaptation, and consequently greater fragility. One of these changes occurs in the respiratory system, affecting the physiological mechanics of the muscles, with a reduction in inspiratory and expiratory force leading to changes in maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax). With functional decline and inactivity, these elderly people tend to have greater dependence, which is an important risk factor. The practice of physical activity is crucial to avoid this fact, preventing pathologies and promoting functional independence. Walking is an activity that is easy to perform and well adopted by the elderly. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether walking can increase the strength of respiratory muscles, improving the respiratory capacity of elderly people. Methodology: The sample for this study was made up of seven volunteers, five women and two men over 60 years old. The research consisted of an initial and final assessment of the respiratory muscle strength of these elderly people, using the parameters of maximum respiratory pressures, measured by the manovacuometer and a walking aerobic physical activity training program, carried out three times a week, for 12 minutes for nine weeks, with progression every three weeks. Results: The intervention promoted an increase in maximum respiratory pressures, with Pimax 70.71 cmH2O and 74.28 cmH2O, as well as Pemax 82.85 cmH2O and 97.14 cmH2O (p>0.05), before and after respectively. However, there was no statistical difference, probably due to the number of volunteers evaluated. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that walking is beneficial for the elderly, however, more research is needed with a greater number of volunteers so that the effects of walking on improving respiratory muscle strength in this population can be confirmed and understood.