[Effects of a group exercise program on handgrip strength of elderly women with low bone mass].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on handgrip strength (HS) in elderly women with low bone mass.


METHODS
Thirty-six elderly women were randomized to the intervention group - GI (n = 18) and control group - GC (n = 18). Participants were evaluated by means of a HS test, using a handgrip dynamometer. GI performed strength, balance and functional mobility exercises, and GC performed stretching exercises. Both groups had sessions twice a week for 50 minutes, during 4 months.


RESULTS
GI had a significant increase in handgrip strength equal to 31.38%. No differences were observed in GC. There were correlations between HS test and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck (r = 0.582, p = 0.003) and total femur (r = 0.485, p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate a propensity to increase elderly HS, and showed significant correlations between HS and BMD.
Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Eduarda Lubambo
EL
Costa
Paulo Sérgio de Castro
PS
Bastos Filho
Mariana de Sousa
Mde S
Moura
Tiago Siqueira de
TS
Sousa
Andréa
A
Lemos
Márcia Alessandra Carneiro
MA
Pedrosa
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000502:physiology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000503:physiopathology*