[Institutionalized elderly: functional capacity and physical fitness].
This study analyzed the relationship between physical fitness and functional capacity in 78 residents of long-stay institutions for low-income elderly located in five regions of Brazil. The majority of the sample consisted of women, and mean age was 77.4 years (SD = 7.9). Physical fitness was assessed with the AAHPERD test, adjusted for institutionalized elderly. The Katz scale was used for functional capacity. The five components of physical fitness rated fair for flexibility, coordination, agility, and aerobic endurance and good for strength. The mean general physical fitness (GPF) index was fair. According to the findings, the greater the degree of dependency in institutionalized elderly, the lesser their strength and GPF level; meanwhile, better coordination and agility are associated with greater independence for performing activities of daily living. The results can contribute to appropriate physical exercise programs for maintenance and/or recovery of functionality.
Gonçalves
Lúcia Hisako Takase
LH
Departamento de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
Silva
Aline Huber da
AH
Mazo
Giovana Zarpsellon
GZ
Benedetti
Tânia R Bertoldo
TR
dos Santos
Silvia Maria Azevedo
SM
Marques
Sueli
S
Rodrigues
Rosalina A Partezani
RA
Portella
Marilene Rodrigues
MR
Scortegagna
Helenice de Moura
Hde M
Santos
Silvana Sidney C
SS
Pelzer
Marlene Teda
MT
Souza
Andrea dos Santos
Ados S
Meira
Edmeia Campos
EC
Sena
Edite Lago da Silva
EL
Creutzberg
Marion
M
Resende
Thais de Lima
Tde L
Rezende
Tais de Lima
Tde L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric