The importance of physical activity in counteracting physiological changes in the elderly

Authors

• Dartel Ferrari de Lima Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE) / Doutor em Medicina Preventiva https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3633-9458
• Dayane Cristina de Souza Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE) / Doutora em Educação Física e Saúde https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1302-543X
• Adelar Aparecido Sampaio Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) / Doutor em Educação http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4386-1364

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17058/rips.v8i2.19494

Keywords:

Exercise, Population Aging, Health Promotion, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: old age is a critical period in human life, when changes in the body contribute to the gradual decline of its morphofunctional structure. Objective: to examine the role of physical activity in the dysfunctions of spatial-temporal-bodily schemas, psycho-emotional and cognitive functions of elderly men (≥ 60 years), looking for aspects that show improvement in health and individual well-being through the practice of physical exercise. Method: this is an analytical, longitudinal, experimental, controlled and non-randomized clinical study looking for functional changes in spatial-temporal-bodily schema dysfunctions, psycho-emotional and cognitive functions in men (≥ 60 years) staying in a residential home for the elderly in the city of São Paulo. Results: the results showed significant improvements in the psycho-emotional and cognitive functions of participants with regular physical activity, particularly in terms of medium-term attention, short-term memory, static and dynamic balance. There was notable progress in mobility and postural control. Improvements were also observed in spatial-temporal orientation, opto-spatial perception of moving objects, sensitivity to external stimuli, as well as a reduction in reaction time to auditory and visual stimuli and signs of anxiety. Additionally, respiratory and relaxation exercises contributed to an increased subjective sense of well-being. Conclusion: the therapeutic physical training as a non-pharmacological approach, improved cognitive functions, balance, spatial-temporal perception, reduced errors, anxiety, and enhanced well-being, positively impacting functional health and quality of life in older adults.

References

Lima DF, Lima LA, Sampaio AA. Recreational physical activity in Brazilian older adults: secondary analysis of the 2018 Vigitel survey. Geriatr Gerontol Aging 2022; 16(1-4):e02200. doi: https://doi.org/10.53886/gga.e0220015.

Estebsari F, Dastoorpoor M, Khalifehkandi ZR, Nouri A, Mostafaei D, Hosseini M, Esmaeili R, Aghababaeian H. The Concept of Successful Aging: A Review Article. Curr Aging Sci 2020;13(1):4-10. doi: https://doi.org/10.2174/1874609812666191023130117.

Smid J, Neto AS, Freitas KGC, Dourado MCN, Kochhann R. Declínio cognitivo subjetivo, comprometimento cognitivo leve e demência - diagnóstico sindrômico: recomendações do Departamento Científico de Neurologia Cognitiva e do Envelhecimento da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. Dement. Neuropsychol 2022;16(3):1-17. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2022-S101PT.

Błeszyńska E, Wierucki Ł, Zdrojewski T, Renke M. Pharmacological Interactions in the Elderly. Medicina (Kaunas) 2020;56(7);320. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56070320.

Goodarzi S, Teymouri Athar MM, Beiky M, Fathi H, Nakhaee Z, Omran SP, Shafiee A. Effect of physical activity for reducing anxiety symptoms in older adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024;16;16(1):153. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00947-w.

Pazzianotto-Forti EM, Moreno MA, Plater E, Baruki SBS, Rasera-Junior I, Reid WD. Impact of Physical Training Programs on Physical Fitness in People With Class II and III Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phys Ther 2020;100(6):963-978. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa045.

Balko AB, Palavissini CFC, Souza DC, Lima DF. Nutritional ergogenic resources in sport: lights and shadows on their use. Res. Soc. Dev 2022;11(1):e39411125056. doi: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i1.25056.

Folstein M, Folstein S, Mchugh P. Mini-mental state. A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr. Res 1975;12(3):189-98. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6.

Britting S, Kob R, Görlitz A, Sieber CC, Freiberger E, Rohleder N. Chronic stress and functional health in older adults with concerns about falling: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial with multicomponent exercise intervention (FEARFALL). Trials. 2024; 20;25(1):621. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08462-6.

Sunderland T, Hill JL Mellow AM, Lawlor BA., Gundersheimer J. Clock drawing in Alzheimer's disease. A novel measure of dementia severity. J Am Geriatr Soc 1989;37(8):725-9.doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1989.tb02233.x.

Zhang J, Wang L, Deng X, Fei G, Jin L, Pan X, Cai L, Albano AD, Zhong C. Five-Minute Cognitive Test as A New Quick Screening of Cognitive Impairment in The Elderly. Aging Dis 2019;1;10(6):1258-1269. doi: https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2019.0115.

Van Der Ven A, Smit J. Het geheim van de Bourdon Wiersma-test ontraadseld? The secret of the Bourdon Wiersma test unraveled? Neth. Tijdschr. Psychol. Grensgeb 1989;44(6):260-270. Recuperado de: https://repository.ubn.ru.nl/handle/2066/231066.

Spielberger C. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: Bibliography (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press. 1989.

Lima DF, Silva MPS, Júnior OM, SampaioAA. O padrão da atividade física de brasileiros com osteoporose. Rev. Bras. Pesqui. Saúde 2019;21(3):39-48. Recuperado em: https://periodicos.ufes.br/rbps/article/view/28205.

Lima DF, Lima LA, Mazardo O, Anguera MG, Sampaio AA. O padrão da atividade física no lazer de idosos brasileiros. J Phys. Educ. Sport 2018;16(2):39-49. Recuperado em: https://repositorio.ufsc.br/bitstream/handle/123456789/241803/19.pdf?sequence=1.

Lima DF, Lima LA, Luiz OC. Daily physical activity of Brazilian carriers of arterial hypertension: a transversal analysis. Colombia Médica 2017;48(2):82-87. Recuperado em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28883668/.

Brown RB. Hypertension, Anxiety and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Cardiovascular Disease and COVID-19: Mediation by Dietary Salt. Diseases 2022;10(4):89. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases10040089.

García-Muñoz C, Cortés-Veja MD, Heredia-Rizo AM, Martín-Valero R, García-Bernal MI. Effectiveness of Vestibular Training for Balance and Dizziness Rehabilitation in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2020;21(2):590. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9020590.

Valenzuela PL, Saco-Ledo G, Morales JS, Gallardo-Gómez D, Morales-Palomo F, López-Ortiz S, Rivas-Baeza B, Castillo-García A, Jiménez-Pavón D, Santos-Lozano A, Del Pozo Cruz B, Lucia A. Effects of physical exercise on physical function in older adults in residential care: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2023;4(6):e247-e256. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00057-0.

Silva MP, Mazzardo O, Fontana F, Campos JG, Lima DF, Paludo AC, Campos W. Time trends of physical inactivity in Brazilian adults from 2009 to 2017. Rev.Assoc. Med. Bras. 2021;67(5):681-689. Recuperado em: https://www.scielo.br/j/ramb/a/RNGG4WNZYRWRv7nyqy3xTbq/?format=pdf&lang=en.