Practice of Physical Activities is Related to Fine Motor Skills in Elderly

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the fine motor skills (M¹) degree in a group of independent elders, checking its possible association with the weekly practice of physical activities. METHODS: 139 independent elders of both genders, aged 60 and older, who responded to a survey about their weekly practice of physical activities and then, later on were subjected to M¹ tests according to EMTI, which final scores determine each individual's M¹. The elderly were categorized into two groups: 60-70 years-old and above 70 years-old. RESULTS: the female gender was predominant in the sample. Most of the elders (46.56%) showed a M¹ Mean Normal, followed by Inferior levels (29.50%) and Superior levels (23.74%). About 6.5% of the elders do not practice any physical activity, 5% practice it once a week, 53% twice a week and 35.5% more than two times per week. It could be observed that those practicing physical activity at least three times a week have better score on the M¹ test (Mann-Whitney Test; p = 0.039). On the other hand, the group older than 70 years had a worse performance (Mann-Whitney Test, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The M¹ Normal Medium was the score achieved with the highest percentage in the two age groups analyzed, being the group older than 70 years the one that presented worse performance. In addition, sedentary elderly or those who report having physical activity only once a week also had the worst test results.

Keywords

• aged
• motor skills
• motor activity
• health of the elderly
• health of institutionalized elderly