Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare elderly practitioners (GP) and non-practitioners (GNP) of physical activities in relation to probability of falls, imbalances and difficulties in performing activities of daily living. This is a cross-sectional study with 40 elderly of both genders. The participants were divided in two groups: the practitioners (PG, n = 20) and non-practitioners (NPG, n = 20) groups. The instruments for evaluation were: Tinetti Gate and Balance Assessment Scale (TGBA scale), Basic Activities of Daily Living Scale (BADL scale) and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (LIADL). Age did not differ between PG and NPG (69.4 ± 7.5 yrsvs 71.9 ± 6.7 yrs, respectively). There was a significant difference between PG and NPG in the balance and gate scores, and total score as well (16 vs 14; 12 vs 11, 28vs 24.5, respectively). In relation to BADL scale, no difference was observed between groups because all samples, PG and NPG, presented maximal punctuation, which means independent performance of basic activities of daily living. Despite no significant difference in LIADL scores between PG and NPG (27 vs 27.5, respectively), we observed that 70% of elderly in the PG were independent to perform activities of daily living and only 50% in the NPG, which presented highest number of elderly needing help to perform activities. We concluded that PG showed better balance and gate as compared to NPG, with higher proportion of independent elderly performing instrumental and basic actiivites activities of daily living with less probability of falls.
Keywords:
Fall; Balance; Walking; Aged; Motor Activity; Accidental Falls; Activities of Daily Living; Gait; Period Analysis; Comparative Study