title: Functional Capacity of Oldest Old Living in a Long-stay Institution in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: [Purpose] A significant increase in the number of oldest old has occurred worldwide. The aim of this study was to characterize the functional capacity of the oldest old residents in a long-stay institution in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [Subjects and Methods] All participants were evaluated according to the following metrics: anthropometry, body composition (bioelectrical impedance), handgrip strength, balance (Berg scale and stabilometry), ankle mobility (electrogoniometry), physical capacity (six-minute walk test), quality of life (WHOQOL-OLD), and dietary habits (questionnaire). [Results] Twenty elderly subjects with a mean age of 85.75 ± 5.22 years and a mean fat percentage of 39.02 ± 5.49% participated in the study. The group at risk of falls (n = 8) had a lower handgrip strength and walked a shorter distance over the course of six minutes compared with the group not at risk of falls. The obese group (n = 15) had higher values for stabilometric variables than the nonobese group. There was a positive and significant correlation between ankle joint mobility and physical capacity (r = 0.47). [Conclusion] High values for obesity and low values for handgrip strength and physical capacity were associated with worse body balance. Low values for ankle mobility were also associated with worse physical capacity in this population.
authors.affiliation: Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Brazil ; São Camilo University Center, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiano Moura
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Brazil.
authors.forename: Susana Ortiz
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Brazil.
authors.forename: Jeter
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pereira de Freitas
authors.affiliation: Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana da Costa Rocha
authors.initials: Ada C
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia Dos Santos
authors.initials: Pdos S
authors.lastname: Vigário
authors.affiliation: Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Brazil.
authors.forename: Míriam Raquel Meira
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mainenti
keywords: Elderly; Functional capacity; Institutionalization