title: Balance and Muscle Strength in Elderly Women Who Dance Samba.
abstract: Considering the growth of the aging population, and the increasing risk for falls and related morbidity, it is vital to seek efficient, comprehensive, and culturally relevant prevention programs for elderly people to reduce risks for falls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postural balance and muscle strength among women participating in the "Wing of Baianas" in the carnival parades. One hundred and ten women, with an average age of 67.4±5.9 years, were divided into two groups: Baianas group-elderly participants of the carnival parades in the "Wing of Baianas", and a Control group of women who do not dance samba. Assessments included a physical activity questionnaire, isokinetic muscle strength testing for the knee extensors and flexors, and a postural balance assessment completed on a force platform. There were no differences between groups, for postural balance outcomes, during the eyes open condition; however, with eyes closed, there was a significant effect between groups (Baianas vs Control) in all variables. The Baianas group showed less medio-lateral displacement (p < 0.04); and anteroposterior displacement (p < 0.007); larger amplitudes of medio-lateral displacement (p < 0.001); and anteroposterior displacement (p < 0.001); increased mean velocity (p < 0.01); and elliptical area (p < 0.01) There were no differences in the isokinetic peak torque corrected by body weight, total work and flexor/extensor ratio. Participation in the Wing of Baianas is associated with better balance with closed eyes, but there were no differences between dancers and non-dancers for muscle strength.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Study of Movement, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos Maurício
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Study of Movement, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.|Departament of Pos Graduate Program in Aging Science, São Judas Tadeu University (USJT), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Angelica Castilho
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Study of Movement, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mochizuki
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Study of Movement, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Júlia Maria D'Andréa
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Greve
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for the Study of Movement, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Eugênio
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Garcez-Leme
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*