This study aimes to compare the postural control of elderly practitioners of karate and hydro-gymnastics. Thirty physically active and inactive elderly men and women participated in this study, with an average age of 74.55 ± 6.5 years, divided in: GK (karate group), GH (hydro-gymnastics), GI (inactive). The elderly were subjected to a battery of assessment of postural control, called the Scale of Berg. A descriptive analysis of data was performed, based on the median and inter-quartile values. To examine the existence of intergroup differences the Kruskal Wallis test was used, when differences were found, the Mann-Whitney test was used as post hoc, p<0,05. Significant differences were observed, by the Kruskal Wallis test, between groups (P= 0,007). For the tasks of the Berg Scale differences were identified in the task of going up and down stairs between the GH and GI groups (P=0,043) and the task to stay in one foot (P=0,004) between the active groups and inactive group. The results of this study give the practice of physical activity an important role for the balance of elderly, highlighting optimal performance in the physically active elderly, regardless of the modality. So the elderly practitioners of physical activity have optimized their performance in postural balance, but it was not possible to identify the best form of physical activity.
Aging; Postural Balance; Motor Activity; Martial Arts; Elderly
