Evaluation of Balance in Elderly Practicing Physical Activity and Sedentary Elderly by the Electronic Baropodometer

Abstract

Objective: To verify if there is difference in the postural control between the elderly practicing physical and the sedentary ones Through the stabilometry. Methods: A total of 62 elderly people were evaluated, of which 28 were physical activity practitioners and 34 were sedentary individuals aged 60 or over. In evaluation was performed by means of the stabilometry test in electronic baropodometer in four experimental conditions. Results: Sedentary patients had higher body mass index values. There were no significant differences between patients who practiced physical activity and sedentary ones in the stabilometry. The group of separated feet, open arms and closed eyes (EC4) presented higher values of ellipse área than open eyes (EC3). Conclusion: It is concluded that overweight contributes to the possibility of fall of the elderly, the physical activity influences in the postural control, and that the tests should be performed with the patient with open eyes for greater postural stability.