Physical performance, balance, mobility, and muscle strength decline at different rates in elderly people.
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to verify the decline in functionality of elderly people. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects comprised 152 individuals (96 women; 56 men) divided into 3 groups: G1 (60 to 69 years, n=53); G2 (70 to 79 years, n=65); and G3 (80 years or older, n=34). Physical performance, balance, mobility, and muscle strength were assessed using Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BERG), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and leg press test, respectively. Comparison among age-stratified groups (G1, G2 and G3) and between genders were examined using analysis of variance with Tukey's test as a post hoc test or the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni correction. [Results] SPPB and BERG scores decreased significantly in comparison between G1 and G3, and between G2 and G3 in women. TUG and leg press scores decreased significantly in comparison between G1 and G3 and between G2 and G3. [Conclusion] People in their 60s and 70s have similar functional characteristics (physical performance, balance, mobility and muscle strength for both genders), and functionality starts to decline when people are in their 80s.
Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Márcia Mariko
MM
Nakano
Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Thais Satie
TS
Otonari
Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Kelly Sayuri
KS
Takara
Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Carolina M
CM
Carmo
Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Clarice
C
Tanaka
Mobility limitation; Muscle strength; Postural balance