Comparison the functional autonomy between active physically and sedentary elderly women

Abstract

Proportion the independence of day by day actions and socials relations, the functional autonomy is considered the important maker of physical ability, life quality and elderly health. In such case, this study aimed to compare the functional autonomy between active physically and sedentary elderly women. In this manner, the sample was constituted for 540 volunteers, divided in: Group Active Physically (PAG; n=358) and Sedentary Group (SG; n=182), that subdivided respectively in four subgroups of agreement with age group and body mass index. The instrument used to measure the variable in question were a battery of functional assessment Senior Fitness. The comparison of functional autonomy inter-subgroups was realized for U test the Man-Whitney with the significance level (p<0,05) behind of SPSS16 program. The results of present study demonstrated only statistically significant difference in: Test Chair Stand and Test 6-minutes walk for all subgroups PAG on the sedentaries; Test Arm Curl only for PAG1 and 2 for all SG1 and 2, Test 8-fit up-&-go for PAG1, 2 and 3 for all SG1, 2 and 3. Conclude that although better than the sedentary, to be active physically, it does not guarantee to the older presenting recommended levels in all of components the functional autonomy especially in the flexibility, agility, balance and power.