Evaluation of the grip force, lower body strength and functional capacity in active and sedentary elders

Abstract

Background - The practice of regular physical activity has a better impact on the global physical condition of the elderly people. Purpose - The mentoring of this study is to analyse if the practice of regular physical activity has any influence on the grip force, the lower body strength and the functional capacity of the inhabitants of Loures district age over 60. Methods - A questionnaire was applied to a selected sample of elderly persons, age over 60, from Loures district. A random sample of 60 inhabitants, age between 60 and 91 were selected, out of which 30 practiced regular physical activity and the other 30 didn’t. The authors evaluated: the grip force using a portable dynamometer Biometrics E-Link, the lower body strength through the chair sit-to-stand test, the functional capacity through six-minute walk test and the perceived exertion through Borg´s scale. Results - We recorded that the regular practice of physical activity influences significantly: the Peak Force on the left grip (p=0,037) as well as on the right grip (p=0,022), the Endurance on the left grip (p=0,017), the number of correct performances realized in the chair sit-to‑stand test (p=0,00), the total distance performed in the six-minute walk test (p=0,00), and the perceived exertion mentioned in the six-minute walk test. Respectively to the values of Time to Peak on the left (p=0,630) and right (p=0,570) grip as well as the endurance on the right grip (p=0,219), there were not found significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion - The authors came to the conclusion that the practice of physical activity in this random sample contributed for a better physical condition which leads to a higher performance that fulfils body functions, body strength and less physical fatigue.