Avaliação dos efeitos de 08 semanas de hidroginástica sobre a mobilidade, a flexibilidade, e parâmetros cardiovasculares de mulheres idosas

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aging process has physiological effects throughout the body, involving changes that increase the risk of contracting diseases and a general decline in the intrinsic capacity of the individual, significantly influencing loss of function and independence. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of 08 weeks of water aerobics on the mobility, flexibility, and cardiovascular parameters of elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 14 elderly women aged between 60 and 87 years, with mean and median ages of 73.35 years and 75 years, respectively (SD = 9,077). Digital heart monitor (G-TECH® BPAA1) was used to measure blood pressure and heart rate. Flexibility was verified by applying the sit-and-reach test at Wells Bank. In the study of mobility and functional balance the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test was used. Data were tabulated using Microsoft Excell® and statistical analysis was performed on Bioestat® software version 5.3. To analyze the data, the descriptive statistics were applied initially and then the t-Student test, considered significant when p <0.05. The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. RESULTS: There was no change in heart rate (initial = 77bpm ± 2.83, final = 77bpm ± 2.81, p = 0.487) and systolic blood pressure (initial = 139mmHg ± 4.74, final = 134mmHg ± 6 , 14, p = 0.112) and Diastolic (initial = 74.43mmHg ± 2.09, final = 75.29mmHg ± 3.68, p = 0.390) resulting from the program used. As for flexibility, there was a significant increase in elderly women aged 60-69 years (n = 5) after 24 hydrogymnastic sessions (initial = 22.62cm ± 3.00cm, final = 25.04cm ± 3.08cm ; p = 0.0009). However, in the bands of 70 to 79 years (initial = 24.25cm ± 4.00cm, final = 26.75cm ± 2.61cm, n = 6, p = 0.154) and ≥80 years (initial = 12.53cm ± 3, 79 cm, final = 18.4 cm ± 6.14 cm, n = 3; p = 0.140) there was no significant change in flexibility. Assessing mobility and functional balance (through the TUG) showed a decrease in this time to make the test course indicating a statistically significant difference after the hydrogymnastic intervention. The mean TUG of the elderly in the 60-69 years (initial of 11.29s ± 0.58s and final of 8.42s ± 0.62s, p = 0.0004) and 70 to 79 years (initial of 14, 47s ± 1.49s and final 11.04s ± 1.52s, p = 0.0131) was decreased. The mean TUG of the elderly of 80 years and older did not show statistical difference after 8 weeks of intervention with hydrogymnastic exercises (initial = 21.57s ± 4.45s and final = 17.76s ± 2.11s, p = 0, 1293). CONCLUSION: It is possible to observe highly significant differences in the flexibility levels and in the mobility and functional balance of older women practicing hydrogymnastics in the age group starting the elderly (60 to 69 years) when compared to the elderly women of later age.