OBJECTIVES: To describe and correlate tongue force and grip strength measures and to verify the association of these measures with water swallowing in different age groups. METHOD: Tongue force was evaluated using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and grip strength using the Hand Grip in 90 normal individuals, who were divided into three groups: young (18-39 years old), adult (40-59 years old) and elderly (above 60 years old) individuals. The time and number of swallows required for the continuous ingestion of 200 ml of water were also measured. RESULTS: A reduction in tongue force and grip strength, as well as an increase in the time required to drink 200 ml of water, were observed with increasing participant age. There was no difference in the number of swallows among the three groups. A correlation was observed between reductions in tongue force and grip strength in the groups of young and elderly individuals. CONCLUSION: There were differences in the measures of tongue force in young, adult and elderly individuals. Greater variations within these differences were observed when repeated movements were performed; in addition, a decrease in strength was associated with an increase in age. The decrease in tongue force among the elderly was offset by the increase in time needed to swallow the liquid. There was an association between the measures of tongue force and grip strength in the different age groups. The results of this study can be applied clinically and may act as a basis for guidelines in healthy or vulnerable elderly populations.

OBETIVO: descrever e comparar o processo de construção da permanência do objeto entre crianças com histórico de prematuridade e muito baixo peso e crianças nascidas a termo com desenvolvimento típico. MÉTODOS: participaram deste estudo 22 crianças, sendo 8 crianças nascidas pré-termo e muito baixo peso (grupo pesquisa - GP) e 14 crianças nascidas a termo (grupo controle - GC). Os sujeitos foram submetidos a avaliações mensais de cognição e linguagem, contendo a avaliação da noção de permanência do objeto. Todas as sessões foram registradas em vídeo e transcritas em protocolo específico. As crianças de ambos os grupos foram avaliadas dos 6 aos 12 meses, sendo considerada para o GP, a idade corrigida. Os dados foram analisados de forma quantitativa e qualitativa. RESULTADOS: observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos para todas as fases da construção da permanência do objeto, evidenciando o atraso (uma média de 2 a 3 meses de atraso) no desenvolvimento cognitivo, apresentado pelo GP, em relação ao GC, durante o período sensório-motor. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados reforçam a idéia de que as crianças nascidas pré-termo e muito baixo peso apresentam risco para alterações ou atrasos no desenvolvimento cognitivo e de linguagem, justificando a elaboração de programas de intervenção fonoaudiológica junto a essas crianças, já durante o primeiro ano de vida.

PURPOSE: to describe and compare the process of object permanence construction in very low birth weight preterm and full-term typical developing infants. METHODS: eight very low birth weight infants (experimental group - EG) and 14 full-term infants (control group - CG) were monthly evaluated as for language and cognition abilities, including the assessment of the object permanence notion. All sessions were recorded in video and transcribed in specific protocols. Children of both groups were evaluated from 6 to 12 months of age, considering the corrected gestational age for the EG. Quantitative and qualitative analysis were carried out. RESULTS: we found statistically significant differences between EG and CG concerning all the stages of object permanence development, evidencing cognitive delays (about 2 or 3 months delay) for the EG, when compared with the CG, during the sensorimotor period. CONCLUSIONS: the findings of this study corroborate with the idea that very low birth weight infants are considered at risk for language and cognition deficits or impairments, justifying the elaboration of early intervention programs during the first year of life.