Relação entre força de tosse e nível funcional em um grupo de idosos

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscle strength is influenced by aging. OBJECTIVES: To assess, in a healthy elderly population, the influence of physical activity and functional performance on the pulmonary function parameters, on respiratory muscle strength and on coughing. METHODS: Observation study that sixty one elderly with age equal or more than 60 years (72.3±7.2 years), with normal spirometry were included. Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Peak Cough Flow (PCF) and Human Activity Profile (HAP) were evaluated. The elderly were separated in two groups (active and moderately active) according to HAP. Student`s test was used for univariate analysis and regression analysis models was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Elderly participants who were classified as active presented on average 13.5 cmH2O higher MEP (88±21.4 cmH2O), and 16.2 cmH2O higher MIP (76±17.7 cmH2O). Maximal respiratory pressure decreases 1 cmH2O per year. The PEF and PCF were higher for male (p{{}{