title: Balance and aerobic capacity of independent elderly: a longitudinal cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the variation in aerobic capacity and postural balance of independents elderly for a period of three years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aerobic capacity of the volunteers was assessed using a six minutes walk test (6MWT), the postural balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the number of falls was self-reported and physical activity level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - long version). Evaluations undertaken in 2008 were compared to those performed in 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in balance and number of falls between 2008 and 2005 (p>0.05). There was a decrease in aerobic capacity over time of 52.46±8.4 meters walked. The IPAQ showed an increase in physical activity on the second evaluation (83.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated that balance, evaluated using BBS did not change in the active independent elderly for a period of three years. However, over the there year period there was a decrease in aerobic capacity evaluated using the 6MWT.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giovanna A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Karla H C
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Vilaça
authors.forename: Nereida K C
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Julio C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Moriguti
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferriolli
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D016138:Walking