Efeitos de um programa de exercício físico na melhoria da função cognitiva em idosos
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2016-05-24
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O envelhecimento é atualmente um conceito que tem despertado o interesse
de muitas áreas do conhecimento devido ao aumento progressivo do número de
pessoas que estão incluídas nesta faixa etária. Durante o envelhecimento, os sistemas
orgânicos perdem a capacidade de desempenhar corretamente as suas funções
perante as diversas modificações do meio interno, levando também ao
comprometimento da função cognitiva. O exercício físico é considerado um meio de
atenuar o declínio cognitivo, podendo beneficiar de forma significativa o idoso e a
sociedade. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar os efeitos de um
programa de exercício físico na melhoria da função cognitiva em idosos.
Foi utilizada uma amostra constituída por 40 idosos com idades compreendidas
entre os 65 e os 80 anos, 32 do sexo feminino (80%) e 8 do sexo masculino (20%),
residentes no concelho de Cabeceiras de Basto. A amostra foi dividida em dois
grupos: grupo de controlo (n=20, 72,65±4,98 anos) e grupo experimental (n=20,
72,05±4,39 anos). O grupo experimental foi sujeito a um programa de intervenção
(caminhada) com a duração de 4 meses, duas vezes por semana (60 minutos cada
sessão) e a uma intensidade moderada. Os dois grupos foram sujeitos a dois
momentos de avaliação, pré e pós-teste. Os instrumentos de avaliação usados foram
o Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), o Teste do Relógio (TR), um questionário
sociodemográfico e um cardiofrequencímetro para avaliar a intensidade da caminhada.
Para comparar os dois grupos no pré e pós-teste utilizou-se o Teste de Wilcoxon para
amostras emparelhadas. Inicialmente, os dois grupos foram comparados, não tendo
sido observadas diferenças significativas nos resultados do pré-teste (p=0,247).
Posteriormente, os dois grupos foram comparados através do resultados do pré com o
pós-teste, tendo-se verificado que o grupo experimental que foi sujeito a um programa
de caminhada apresentou melhorias significativas na função cognitiva
comparativamente ao grupo de controlo (p=0,02).
Concluindo, este estudo mostra que o programa de caminhada realizado
durante 4 meses produziu efeitos benéficos na função cognitiva. Os efeitos que o
envelhecimento produz podem ser retardados ou atenuados através de programas de
exercício físico devidamente estruturados e implementados junto desta população. A
crescente tendência para a implementação de programas tem-se revelado bastante
benéfica e este tipo de intervenção é uma mais valia no trabalho efetuado com esta
população, devendo ser utilizado de forma a prevenir ou retardar o declínio cognitivo.
Aging is now a concept that has aroused the interest of many areas of knowledge due to the progressive increase in the number of people who are included in this age group. During aging, body systems lose the ability to properly perform its functions due to the various modifications of the internal environment, also leading to the impairment of cognitive function. Physical exercise is considered a way to attenuate cognitive decline and can benefit significantly the elderly and the society. So, the aim of this study was to verify the effects of a physical exercise program in the cognitive function improvement of in the elderly. A sample consisting of 40 senior citizens aged between 65 and 80 years, 32 female (80%) and 8 male (20%), residents in the municipality of Cabeceiras de Basto, was used. The sample was divided into two groups: control group (n = 20, 72.65 ± 4.98 years) and experimental group (n = 20 72.05 ± 4.39 years). The experimental group was subjected to an intervention program (walking) with a duration of 4 months, twice a week (60 minutes per session) in a moderate intensity. Both groups were subjected to two stages of evaluation, pre and post-test. The used assessment tools were the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clock Test (CT), a socio-demographic questionnaire and a heart rate monitor to evaluate the intensity of the walk. To compare the two groups in the pre and post-test we used the Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Initially, the two groups were compared, not having been observed significant differences in the pre-test results (p = 0.247). Subsequently, both groups were compared by the pre-test results with post-test, having verified that the experimental group, that was subjected to a walking program, showed significant improvements in cognitive function as compared to the control group (p = 0, 02). In conclusion, this study shows that the walking program conducted during four months, produced beneficial effects on cognitive function. The effects that aging produces may be delayed or attenuated through properly structured and implemented physical exercise programs in this population. The growing tendency towards the implementation of programs has proven to be quite beneficial and this type of intervention is particularly valuable in the work done with this population and should be used to prevent or slow the cognitive decline.
Aging is now a concept that has aroused the interest of many areas of knowledge due to the progressive increase in the number of people who are included in this age group. During aging, body systems lose the ability to properly perform its functions due to the various modifications of the internal environment, also leading to the impairment of cognitive function. Physical exercise is considered a way to attenuate cognitive decline and can benefit significantly the elderly and the society. So, the aim of this study was to verify the effects of a physical exercise program in the cognitive function improvement of in the elderly. A sample consisting of 40 senior citizens aged between 65 and 80 years, 32 female (80%) and 8 male (20%), residents in the municipality of Cabeceiras de Basto, was used. The sample was divided into two groups: control group (n = 20, 72.65 ± 4.98 years) and experimental group (n = 20 72.05 ± 4.39 years). The experimental group was subjected to an intervention program (walking) with a duration of 4 months, twice a week (60 minutes per session) in a moderate intensity. Both groups were subjected to two stages of evaluation, pre and post-test. The used assessment tools were the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clock Test (CT), a socio-demographic questionnaire and a heart rate monitor to evaluate the intensity of the walk. To compare the two groups in the pre and post-test we used the Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Initially, the two groups were compared, not having been observed significant differences in the pre-test results (p = 0.247). Subsequently, both groups were compared by the pre-test results with post-test, having verified that the experimental group, that was subjected to a walking program, showed significant improvements in cognitive function as compared to the control group (p = 0, 02). In conclusion, this study shows that the walking program conducted during four months, produced beneficial effects on cognitive function. The effects that aging produces may be delayed or attenuated through properly structured and implemented physical exercise programs in this population. The growing tendency towards the implementation of programs has proven to be quite beneficial and this type of intervention is particularly valuable in the work done with this population and should be used to prevent or slow the cognitive decline.
Descrição
Dissertação de Mestrado em Gerontologia: Atividade Física e Saúde no Idoso
Palavras-chave
Idosos , Envelhecimento , Exercícios físicos , Função cognitiva