title: Functional autonomy, bone mineral density (BMD) and serum osteocalcin levels in older female participants of an aquatic exercise program (AAG).
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an AAG on BMD, osteocalcin and functional autonomy in older women. The sample consisted of eighty-two post-menopausal women with low BMD, randomly divided into two groups: the Aquatic Aerobics Group [AAG; n=42; age: 66.8±4.2years], submitted to two weekly sessions over eight months, and the Control Group (GC; n=42; age: 66.9±3.2years), which did not participate in regular exercise. BMD was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DXA] of the lumbar and femur, and serum osteocalcin was measured using electrochemiluminescence. A functional autonomy assessment protocol (GDLAM, 2004) was also applied. Statistical analyses used were repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. The results showed a significant improvement in tests following the GDLAM protocol: 10 meters walk (10mw) -p=0.003; rising from a ventral decubitus position (RVDP) - Δ%=0.78, p<0.001; rising from a chair and moving around the house (RCMH) -p<0.001 and autonomy index (AI) -p=0.007, with more favorable results observed in the AAG when compared to the CG. The AAG achieved the best results for BMD; however, no inter or intragroup statistical differences were recorded for total femur -p=0.975 and lumbar L(2)-L(4)p=0.597. For serum osteocalcin, intra and intergroup statistical differences of p=0.042 and p=0.027 were observed in the AAG, respectively. This demonstrates that an eight-month aquatic aerobic exercise program can improve functional autonomy and osteocalcin levels, although training did not improve lumbar and total femur BMD in the older women.
authors: Programa de Pós-graduação Stricto Sensu em Enfermagem e Biociências, PpgEnfBio, da Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. karlos.pernambuco@hotmail.com
authors: Carlos Soares
authors: CS
authors: Pernambuco
authors: Claudio Joaquim
authors: CJ
authors: Borba-Pinheiro
authors: Rodrigo Gomes de Souza
authors: RG
authors: Vale
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Di Masi
authors: Paola Karynne Pinheiro
authors: PK
authors: Monteiro
authors: Estelio H M
authors: EH
authors: Dantas
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011379:Prognosis; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015675:Osteocalcin