Author(s): Farinha, Carlos ; Teixeira, Ana ; Serrano, João ; Santos, Helder ; Silva, Fernanda ; Cascante-Rusenhack, Marcio ; Paulo, Luis ; Ferreira, José Pedro
Date: 2022
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/8186
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
Subject(s): Aerobic capacity; hand strength; cognition; cardiometabolic risk factors; Elderly; Capacidade aeróbia; Preensão manual; Cognição
The elderly population is constantly growing worldwide. One of the characteristics of aging is the decrease in functional fitness and cognitive function, leading to the appearance of cardiometabolic disorders. Methodology: The aim of this study is to verify the association between aerobic capacity, handgrip strength and cognition with risk markers for cardiometabolic diseases and mental health in community dwelling elderly. The study consists of a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a 28-week randomized controlled trial, with a sample of 102 participants (mean age 72.32 ± 5.25 years). The sample was evaluated for anthropometry, functional fitness, heart rate variability, carotid artery intima and mean thickness (IMT), cognitive function, mental health and biochemical markers. Correlations were evaluated using Pearson's statistical analysis and interpreted according to Cohen's (1988). Results: Statistically significant correlations were found between aerobic capacity (2m-ST) and markers of functional, cardiovascular, biochemical, cognitive function and mental health fitness. Handgrip strength (HG) was statistically significantly correlated with anthropometric measurements, various indicators of functional fitness, biochemical markers, cognitive function, and mental health variables. Finally, cognitive function (MMSE) was correlated with anthropometric measures, functional fitness, cardiovascular and biochemical markers, and mental health. These data suggest that aerobic capacity, handgrip strength and cognitive function may be hypothetically associated with cardiovascular disease risk markers.
