Decreased functional capacity and muscle strength in elderly women with metabolic syndrome

• Published in: Clinical interventions in aging Vol. 8; pp. 1377 - 1386
• Main Authors: Vieira, Denis Cesar Leite, Tibana, Ramires Alsamir, Tajra, Vitor, Nascimento, Dahan da Cunha, de Farias, Darlan Lopes, Silva, Alessandro de Oliveira, Teixeira, Tatiane Gomes, Fonseca, Romulo Maia Carlos, de Oliveira, Ricardo Jacó, Mendes, Felipe Augusto dos Santos, Martins, Wagner Rodrigues, Funghetto, Silvana Schwerz, Karnikowski, Margo Gomes de Oliveira, Navalta, James Wilfred, Prestes, Jonato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2013; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Aged; aging; Anthropometry; Brazil; Complications and side effects; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demographic aspects; Exercise Test - methods; Female; Flexibility; functional capacity; Humans; Jumping; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - physiopathology; Metabolic syndrome X; Middle Aged; muscle performance; Muscle strength; Muscle Strength - physiology; Older people; Original Research; Physical fitness; Physical Fitness - physiology; Brazil; metabolic syndrome; functional capacity; aging; muscle performance
• ISSN: 1178-1998; 1176-9092; 1178-1998
• DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S50333

To compare the metabolic parameters, flexibility, muscle strength, functional capacity, and lower limb muscle power of elderly women with and without the metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross-sectional study included 28 older women divided into two groups: with the MetS (n = 14; 67.3 ± 5.5 years; 67.5 ± 16.7 kg; 1.45 ± 0.35 m; 28.0 ± 7.6 kg/m(2)), and without the MetS (n = 14; 68.7 ± 5.3 years; 58.2 ± 9.9 kg; 1.55 ± 0.10 m; 24.3 ± 3.8 kg/m(2)). Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and dynamic muscle strength was assessed by one-maximum repetition (1RM) tests in leg press, bench press and biceps curl exercises. Six-minute walk test, Timed Up and Go (TUG); 30-second sitting-rising; arm curl using a 2-kg dumbbell, sit-and-reach (flexibility), and vertical jump tests were performed. There was no difference between groups regarding age (P = 0.49), height (P = 0.46), body fat (%) (P = 0.19), systolic (P = 0.64), diastolic (P = 0.41) and mean blood pressure (P = 0.86), 30-second sitting-rising (P = 0.57), 30-s arm curl (P = 0.73), leg press 1RM (P = 0.51), bench press 1RM (P = 0.77), and biceps curl 1RM (P = 0.85). However, women without the MetS presented lower body mass (P = 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.0001), waist circumference (P = 0.02), waist-to-height ratio (P = 0.02), fat body mass (kg) (P = 0.05), lean body mass (kg) (P = 0.02), blood glucose (P = 0.05), triglycerides (P = 0.03), Z-score for the MetS (P = 0.05), higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.002), better performance on TUG (P = 0.01), flexibility (P = 0.03), six-minute walk test (P = 0.04), vertical jump (P = 0.05) and relative muscle strength for leg press (P = 0.03), bench press (P = 0.04) and biceps curl (P = 0.002) exercises as compared to women with the MetS. Elderly women with the MetS have higher metabolic risk profile and lower functional capacity, muscle strength, lower limb power and flexibility as compared to women without the MetS. The evaluation of functional capacity may help to determine the degree of physical decline in older persons with the MetS, while exercise interventions should be encouraged.