OBJETIVO: Comparar os parâmetros metabólicos, antropométricos, pressão arterial e força muscular de mulheres idosas com síndrome metabólica e sem síndrome metabólica. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle com 27 (67,3±4,8 anos 31,0±5,0kg/m²) idosas com síndrome metabólica e 33 (68,8±5,6 anos 27,2±5,3kg/m²) idosas controle sedentárias. As idosas foram submetidas à avaliação de composição por meio da absorciometria de raio X de dupla energia e teste de força muscular de 10 repetições máximas na extensão de joelhos. RESULTADOS: Quando comparadas às idosas sem síndrome metabólica, as idosas com síndrome metabólica apresentaram índices maiores para: massa corporal (72,2±13,5 x 63,4±14,6kg; p=0,03), índice de massa corporal (31,0±5,0 x 27,2±5,3kg/m²; p=0,007), massa gorda (30,9±9,9 x 24,4±8, 5kg; p=0,01), pressão arterial sistólica (125,1±8,2 x 119,3±8,7mmHg; p=0,01), pressão arterial diastólica (75,5±6,9 x 71,4±6,7mmHg; p=0,03), pressão arterial média (92,5±6,2 x 87,1±6,7mmHg; p=0,004), glicemia (103,8±19,1 x 91,1±5,9mg/dL; p=0,001), triglicerídeos (187,1±70,2 x 116,3±36,7mg/dL; p=0,001) e creatina quinase (122,6±58,6 x 89,8±32,5 U/L; p=0,01); foram menores: massa livre de gordura (55,9±5,8 x 59,3±6,7 %; p=0,05); HDL-C (40,7±5,0 x 50,5±10,1mg/dL p=0,001) e força muscular relativa (0,53±0,14 x 0,62±0,12; p=0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Idosas com síndrome metabólica apresentam maior risco cardiovascular e menor força muscular relativa, quando comparadas às idosas sem síndrome metabólica. A força muscular relativa pode estar relacionada aos fatores de risco cardiovascular da síndrome metabólica.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the metabolic, anthropometric, arterial blood pressure, and muscle strength parameters of elderly women with and without metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A case-control study with 27 (67.3±4.8 years of age, 31.0±5.0kg/m²) elderly women with metabolic syndrome and 33 (68.8±5.6 years of age, 27.2±5.3kg/m²) sedentary control elderly women. They were submitted to an evaluation of body composition by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscle strength testing with 10 maximal repetitions of knee extension. RESULTS: When compared to the elderly women without metabolic syndrome, those with the metabolic syndrome had higher levels for body mass (72.2±13.5 versus 63.4±14.6kg, p=0.03), body mass index (31.0±5.0 versus 27.2±5.3kg/m2, p=0.007), fat mass (30.9±9.9 versus 24.4±8.5kg, p=0.01), systolic arterial pressure (125.1±8.2 versus 119.3±8.7mmHg, p=0.01), diastolic arterial pressure (75.5±6.9 versus 71.4±6.7mmHg, p=0.03), mean arterial pressure (92.5±6.2 versus 87.1±6.7mmHg, p=0.004), blood glucose (103.8±19.1 versus 91.1±5.9mg/dL, p=0.001), triglycerides (187.1±70.2 versus 116.3±36.7mg/dL, p=0.001), and creatine kinase (122.6±58.6 versus 89.8±32.5U/L, p=0.01); lower levels were found for fat-free mass (55.9±5.8 versus 59.3±6.7%; p=0.05), HDL-C (40.7±5.0 versus 50.5±10.1mg/dL, p=0.001), and relative muscle strength (0.53±0.14 versus 0.62±0.12, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Elderly women with metabolic syndrome have a higher cardiovascular risk and less relative muscle strength when compared to those without metabolic syndrome. Relative muscle strength may be related to the cardiovascularr risk factors of the metabolic syndrome.