Os níveis de atividade física influenciam os parâmetros da marcha durante atividades de dupla tarefa de idosos? Um estudo piloto

Abstract

Aims: To analyze the influence of physical activity levels in space time parameters of the gait in elderly during the performance of double-task activities. Methods: This study was characterized as a pilot, descriptive and observational study with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of the sedentary group: three elderly (two female, aged 62 and 67 years, and one male 61 years old), who did not exercise regularly; and by the active group: three elderly (all female, two 60 years old and another 65 years old), who performed physical exercises regularly. The participants were classified as sedentary or active with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). After that, they performed the simple motor and cognitive tasks and activities with double tasks associated with gait. The double tasks was consisted in performing the motor task of walking at self-speed simultaneously to the two cognitive tasks of arithmetic and subtraction numbers and the motor task to transfer the ball around the body, moving from one hand to another. Results: In the comparison between the groups, both in single gait and in all double tasks, the active group showed better results. Another result to be highlighted is that the double tasks had a greater influence on the sedentary group. Conclusions: The best performance of the active elderly demonstrates that physical activity has a direct influence on gait during double activities. Considering that the double tasks are functional markers and risk of falls, the results of this study suggest that preventive measures aimed at performing physical activity by the elderly should be continuously encouraged. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]