ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The changes that influence functional mobility in the elderly are many, such as posture alterations, diminution of muscular force and amplitude of movement.
Objective:
To determine the most appropriate parameter for functional mobility estimation, as well as the effect of muscular strength on functional mobility of elderly people.
Methods:
The sample was constituted by 41 healthy female individuals from 60 to 78 years old who were submitted to the Time up and go (TUG) test that assess the abilities of basic mobility in fragile elderly people (time to get up and move), Berg's balance scale (BBS), functional reach test (FRT) and one maximum repetition test (1MR).
Results:
The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that only Berg's scale presented eigenvalue (self-value) higher than 1, explaining 59% of the variance. On the other hand, the muscular strength was predictor of functional mobility only when the TUG has been analyzed, suggesting that 20% of functional mobility can be explained by muscular strength (R=-0.42 [R2=0.20, β=-0.29± 0.12, P=0.023]).
Conclusion:
The BBS seemed to represent the most appropriate procedure for func-tional mobility estimation. Muscular strength was predictor of functional mobility only when TUG has been analyzed.
Keywords:
aging; postural balance; muscle contraction
