Strength and ability to implement the activities of daily living in elderly resident in rural areas.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between muscle strength and the ability to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living in elderly resident in rural areas of Jequie, Brazil.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional design study with a population of 104 individuals aged sixty or older, registered in the Family Health Unit of the district of Itajuru, Jequie-Brazil. Data collection was performed using a standardized instrument used as an interview, followed by the application of tests (bending arm with dumbbell and rising from a chair 30 sec). The basic and instrumental activities of daily living were investigated through the Katz and Lawton scales, respectively. The chi-square test withp≤0.05 was used as a measure of statistical significance for bivariate analyzes between muscle strength and ability to perform daily activities.


RESULTS
The results showed a significant association between muscle strength and dynamic ability to perform activities of daily living.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced muscle strength is an important predictor of the functional ability of the elderly. Accordingly, it is recommended to observe muscle strength in actions directed at the elderly.


OBJECTIVE
Analizar la asociación entre la fuerza muscular y la capacidad para la realización de las actividades básicas e instrumentales de la vida diaria en ancianos residentes de la zona rural del municipio de Jequie, Brasil.
Estudio de corte transversal, en una población de 104 individuos mayores a sesenta años, registrados en la Unidad de Salud de Familia del Distrito Itajurú, Jequié, Brasil. La recolección de los datos se realizó mediante una entrevista usando un instrumento estandarizado, después de la aplicación del test (brazo doblado con una pesa y levantarse de una silla en 30 seg. Las actividades básicas e instrumentales de la vida diaria fueron investigadas usando las escalas de Katz y Lawton, respectivamente. La significancia estadística para los análisis bivariados entre la fuerza muscular y la habilidad para realizar las actividades diarias se determinó usando la prueba de chi-cuadrado.


RESULTS
Se encontró una asociación significante entre la fuerza muscular y la habilidad dinámica para realizar las actividades de la vida diaria.
La reducción de la fuerza muscular es un importante predictor de la habilidad funcional en los ancianos. De acuerdo a esto es importante se recomienda observar la fuerza muscular en las acciones dirigidas en los ancianos.
Departamento de Saúde II, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Itapetinga, Brasil.
Saulo
S
Vasconcelos Rocha
Departamento de Saúde II, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Itapetinga, Brasil.
Samara
S
Souza Dos Santos
Departamento de Saúde II, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Itapetinga, Brasil.
Lélia Renata
LR
Carneiro Vasconcelos
Departamento de Saúde II, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Itapetinga, Brasil.
Clarice
C
Alves Dos Santos
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology
Muscle strength; aged; health services for the aged; physical fitness; quality of life; rural population; social support