Altura percentual do centro de gravidade e número de quedas em idosos ativos e sedentários DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2010v12n4p302

Abstract

No envelhecimento, verifica-se modifica+�+�es no metabolismo energ+�tico, resultando em aumento da gordura corporal, diminui+�+�o da massa muscular e da estatura o que pode levar +�s altera+�+�es no posicionamento do Centro de Gravidade (CG) e consequentes quedas. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: identificar a altura percentual do CG e o n+�mero de quedas (NQ) sofridas pelos idosos nos +�ltimos 12 meses, compar+�-los entre o grupo de idosos ativos e sedent+�rios e correlacion+�-los com as vari+�veis antropom+�tricas (massa corporal, estatura e IMC). A amostra foi composta por 102 idosos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 60 e 84 anos, entre eles, 64 ativos e 38 sedent+�rios. Foram avaliados dadosantropom+�tricos, NQ, n+�vel de atividade f+�sica dos idosos sedent+�rios e altura percentual do CG. Foram realizados c+�lculos de m+�dia e desvio padr+�o e as correla+�+�es entre as vari+�veis foram verificadas atrav+�s da aplica+�+�o do Coeficiente de Correla+�+�o de Pearson. Identificou-se que a altura percentual do CG dos idosos ativos encontra-se a 57,54% -� 2,57%e dos idosos sedent+�rios a 57,47% -� 1,94% de sua altura, n+�o foram observadas correla+�+�es significativas da altura percentual do CG com nenhuma das vari+�veis antropom+�tricas e com NQ nos idosos de ambos os grupos. Pode-se concluir que os idosos apresentam valor do CG acima do considerado fisiol+�gico (55%), n+�o houve associa+�+�o significativa entre a altura percentual do CG, as vari+�veis antropom+�tricas e o NQ.(AU) Older adults present changes in energy metabolism that result in an increase of body fat and a decrease of muscle mass and height, leading to alterations in the position of the center of gravity (CG) and consequent falls. The objective of the present study was to compare the percent CG height and the number of falls (NF) over the last 12 months between active and sedentary older adults and to correlate them with anthropometric variables (body weight, height and BMI). The sample consisted of 102 men and women ranging in age from 60 to 84 years,including 64 active and 38 sedentary subjects. Anthropometric variables, NF, level of physical activity of sedentary subjects, and percent CG height were evaluated and the mean and standard deviation were calculated. Correlations between variables were estimated using Pearson?scorrelation coefficient. The percent CG height was 57.54 -� 2.57% in active subjects and 57.47 -� 1.94% in sedentary subjects. No significant correlations were observed between percent CG height and anthropometric variables or NF in either group. In conclusion, older adults present a CG above the physiological value (55%). No significant association was observed between percent CG height, anthropometric variables and NF.(AU)