ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to compare the functional strength of the higher and lower limbs in physically active and sedentary elderly women. The sample consisted of 540 volunteers, divided into: Physically Active Group (PAG) and Sedentary Group (SG), subdivided into: PAG1 (n=107 with 61.6±1.5 years old and BMI=27.1±3.9), PAG2 (n=94, with 66.7±1.3 years old and BMI=27.5±3.6), PAG3 (n=82, with 72.2±1.4 years old and BMI=27.5±3.8), PAG4 (n=75, with 77.2±1.3 years old and BMI=28.1±3.9), SG1 (n=36, with 2.9±1.2 years old and BMI=27.7±4.4), SG2 (n=39, with 67.7±1.3 years old and BMI=28.1±3.1), SG3 (n=49, with 72.5±1.3 years old and BMI=28.3±2.9) and SG4 (n=58, with 77.6±1.1 years old and BMI=28.3±3.8). To measure the variable in question were used the tests Chairs Stand and Arm Curl. The statistic analysis employed the software OFFICE EXCEL 2007 and SPSS16, adopting as significance level: U<0.05. For the functional strength of MMII, all PAG presented significant differences on their respective SG. For the functional strength of MMSS, only PAG1 and PAG2 presented significant differences on the SG1 and SG2. The conclusion is that physical activity programs have been able to maintain, although in limited levels, the functional strength of MMII and MMSS among physically active elderly women.
Key words:
Muscle Strength; Upper Extremity; Lower Extremity; Motor Activity; Women's Health; Women; Aged; Functional Strength; Physically Active; Elderly Women; Sedentary Elderly Women.