Estudo comparativo do equilíbrio, risco de queda, força de preensão manual e qualidade de vida entre idosos sedentários e praticantes de musculação

Abstract

Introduction: Ageing is a natural, universal and inevitable process, and its impacts can only be mitigated by maintaining physical fitness, cognition and quality of life. Objective: To compare static and dynamic balance, fall risk, handgrip strength and quality of life between sedentary elderly people and those who practice weight training. Methodology: Comparative and observational study with 20 bodybuilders (n=10) and sedentary (n=10) people. The participants were submitted to the Quality of Life of the Elderly Questionnaire (WHOQOL-OLD), the Berg Balance Scale and Dynamometry. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of total quality of life score. Left hand grip strength showed a significant difference (p=0.03), with a higher proportion of weak strength in the sedentary group and a predominance of normal strength in the weight training group. The weight training group tended to have better scores on the Berg Balance Scale and in quality of life domains such as “Sensory Functioning” and “Social Participation”. Conclusion: The regular practice of weight training may be associated with maintaining muscle strength in the elderly and possibly contribute to better functional performance and perceived quality of life, even without obtaining broad statistical significance.