Frailty, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life: a comparison between Physically Frail and Robust Older Women

  • Vivian Castillo de Lima Applied Kinesiology Laboratory. School of Physical Education. University of Campinas. Brazil.
  • Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio Applied Kinesiology Laboratory. School of Physical Education. University of Campinas. Brazil.
  • Hélio José Coelho-Junior Applied Kinesiology Laboratory. School of Physical Education. University of Campinas. Brazil.
  • Carolina Mie Kawagosi Onodera Applied Kinesiology Laboratory. School of Physical Education and School of Medical Sciences. HEMOCENTRO. University of Campinas. Brazil.
  • Marzo Edir Da Silva Grigoletto Physical Education Post-Graduation Program. Federal University of Sergipe. Brazil.
  • Marco Carlos Uchida Applied Kinesiology Laboratory. School of Physical Education. University of Campinas. Brazil.
  • Priscila Yukari Sewo-Sampaio Department of Occupational Therapy. Federal University of Sergipe. Brazil.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33155/j.ramd.2018.08.001
Keywords: Envejecimiento, Fragilidad, Kihon Checklist, Función física, Calidad de vida Aging, Frailty, Kihon Checklist, Physical function, Quality of life Envelhecimento, Fragilidade, Kihon Checklist, Função Física, Qualidade de vida

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare physical fitness, quality of life and domains of frailty between physically frail and robust older women, whose was classified by the physical domain from Kihon Checklist.

Method: One hundred and thirty-two community-dwelling older women participated in the study (68.5 ± 6.1 years). Data were collected through questionnaires (sociodemographic, Kihon Checklist, Short Form-8 items) and physical and functional tests.

Results: Most frail older women lived alone (P<0.01), had lower frequency of leaving home weekly (P<0.03) and reported a greater history of fall events compared to the robust ones (P<0.01). In addition, physically frail older women presented lower performance in handgrip strength, walking speed usual and maximum, and Timed Up and Go. In addition, they had worst results in other domains of frailty (i.e., instrumental activities of daily living, oral condition, socialization, cognition) as well as a lower quality of life. Older women leaving home in a lower frequency and living alone may present an increase of emotional issues and, occasionally, a decrease of the quality of life.

Conclusion: Physical frail older women leaving home less present lower muscle strength and power and, a combination of frailties besides the physical one.

Published
2019-02-26
Issue
Vol. 12 No. 4 (2019): December 2019
Section
Originals
Page/s
312-316
DOI
https://doi.org/10.33155/j.ramd.2018.08.001