Atividade fisica e aptidão fisica em mulheres na pos-menopausa

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2004

RESUMO

Introduction: Studies show that low levels of physical activity and physical fitness are factors related to the incidence of diseases. Physiological changes resulting from increasing chronological age and the postmenopausal period contribute to the occurrence of a reduction in the level of physical activity in women. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of physical activity and its association with the functional, morphological and physiological components of physical fitness in postmenopausal women. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 162 women aged 45-65 years, amenorrheic for at least 12 months, who were receiving care at the menopause clinic of CAISM/UNICAMP. The women verbally answered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for the evaluation of levels of physical activity. This instrument assesses the frequency and duration of activities performed in transportation, at work, in the home or in leisure-time over the course of a normal week, including vigorous and moderate exercise or walking. Women were classified as sedentary, insufficiently active, active or very active. To evaluate the morphological component, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and percentage of body fat were studied. To evaluate the functional component, maximum oxygen consumption was measured by means of a submaximal strength test on an exercise bicycle. To evaluate the physiological component, plasma measurement of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides and fasting glucose were carried out, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. For the statistical analysis, variables were described using absolute frequency or relative frequency, means and standard deviation. Student?s t-test, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were used, as well as adjusted prevalence ratios. Significance was set at 5%. Cardiovascular risk was calculated according to Framingham?s score. Results: Prevalence of physical activity was approximately 83.5%, of which 80.9% were classified as active and 2.5% very active. Principal activities were performed during transportation and in household duties. Approximately 90% of the women presented low cardiovascular risk according to the Framingham criteria. Around 80% of the women were preobese or obese and presented waist-to-hip ratio indicative of high or very high risk for cardiovascular disease, percentage of fat above 33%, and more than 50% of the women presented low oxygen consumption. More than 75% of the women presented normal total and fractional cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Fasting glucose was normal in 88% of women. Statistical analysis showed no significant associations between levels of physical activity and the components of physical fitness. Conclusions: The prevalence of physical activity in postmenopausal women is high, based principally on transportation walking and on household chores. These activities appear insufficient to promote changes in physical fitness in postmenopausal women

ASSUNTO(S)

composição corporal

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