Resumen Introducción. La actividad física es de gran importancia para lograr un envejecimiento saludable. Objetivos. Estudiar los cambios en los parámetros antropométricos y la condición física de adultos mayores (AM) chilenos después de 16 semanas de participación en un programa de actividad física, y evaluar las diferencias en relación con su estado nutricional inicial. Materiales y métodos. Estudio pre-experimental cuantitativo. Población: 176 AM (155 mujeres y 21 hombres) distribuidos en 3 grupos: normopesos (n = 56), sobrepesos (n=67) y obesos (n = 53). Se evaluaron las siguientes variables: índice de masa corporal (IMC), perímetro de cintura (PC), índice cintura-estatura (ICE) y condición física. Resultados. Se observaron reducciones significativas en PC (p<0.001), IMC (p=0.015) e ICE (p<0.001), y mejoras en las siguientes pruebas: sentarse y levantarse de una silla (p<0.001), flexiones del codo (p<0.001), dos minutos de marcha (p<0.001), flexión del tronco en silla (p=0.018) y juntar las manos tras la espalda (p=0.014). Se encontraron diferencias significativas respecto al IMC entre participantes normopesos y sobrepesos (p=0.001), y entre normopesos y obesos (p=0.001). Conclusión. Los AM que participaron regularmente en el programa de actividad física lograron reducir su PC, IMC e ICE y mejorar su rendimiento físico-funcional en las pruebas de sentarse y levantarse de una silla, flexiones de codo, dos minutos de marcha, y flexibilidad del tren inferior y superior. Además, sus parámetros antropométricos y su condición física mejoraron independientemente de su estado nutricional inicial.

Abstract Introduction: Physical activity is important for achieving healthy aging. Objective: To analyze changes in anthropometric parameters and physical fitness among Chilean older adults after participating in a 16-week physical activity program and to evaluate whether there were differences in relation to their baseline nutritional status or not. Materials and methods: Pre-experimental quantitative study. The study population consisted of 176 older adults (155 women and 21 men) distributed in three groups: normal weight (n = 56), overweight (n=67) and obese (n = 53). The following variables were evaluated: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and physical fitness. Results: Significant decreases between pre- and post-measurements were found for WC (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.015), and WHR (p<0.001). Improvements were observed in the following tests: chair stand (p<0.001), arm curl (p<0.001), 2-min step (p<0.001), chair sit-&-reach (p=0.018) and back scratch (p=0.014). Regarding BMI, significant changes were observed between normal weight vs. overweight participants (p=0.001) and between normal weight vs. obese participants (p=0.001). Conclusion: Older adult participants that regularly attended the physical activity program were able to reduce their WC, BMI and WHR, and also improved their physical-functional performance on the chair stand, arm curl, 2-min step, chair sit-&-reach and back scratch tests. In addition, anthropometric parameters and physical fitness also improved regardless of their baseline nutritional status.

Background:: The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) is frequently used to assess physical fitness and functional independence in older people. Aim: To establish reference values for the SFT in Chilean physically active older women according to age ranges. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study that included 1048 Chilean women aged between 60 and 85 years. Chair stand (CS), arm curl (AC), two-min walk (2 min), chair sit-and-reach (CSr), back scratch (BS), and timed up-and-go test (TUG) were evaluated. The reference values are presented in percentiles (p5, p10, p25, p50, p75, p90 and p95) and are distributed age intervals (60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and ≥ 80 years). Results: There was a decrease in strength (CS and AC), aerobic resistance (2 min) and flexibility (CSr and BS) along with age, whereas the time required to perform the timed up and go increased along with age. Conclusions: Physically active older women show a deterioration in physical fitness along with age. These women have higher reference values in CS, AC, 2 min and CSr, and lower in BS and TUG, than those reported abroad for the SFT.

Abstract: Objective: To associate health anthropometric indexes with physical fitness of elderly women (EW) who participate in physical exercise workshops. Materials and methods: 272 Chilean women over 60 years took part in the study. The variables studied were BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-height index (WHI) and physical fitness (PF). Correlations were made through the Pearson or Spearman coefficient, and bivariate associations using Pearson’s Chi-square and the Fisher’s exact test, considering p<0.05. Results: 70.8% of the EW were overweight or obese; 68.8% and 96% were at cardiometabolic risk due to their WC and WHI, respectively. Their PF showed equal performance (53.5%) or higher (33.8%) according to their age and gender. Inverse correlations were found between nutritional status and cardiometabolic risk with PF tests (except for agility and dynamic balance [direct]), and direct association with back scratch test. Conclusions: Excess weight in physically active EW would not affect their physical-functional performance; however, cardiometabolic risk would be inversely associated with motor function.

Resumen: Objetivo: Asociar los índices antropométricos de salud con la condición física de las mujeres mayores (MM) que participan en talleres de ejercicio físico. Material y métodos: Participaron 272 mujeres chilenas mayores de 60 años. Las variables correspondieron al IMC, perímetro de cintura (PC), índice cintura estatura (ICE) y condición física (CF). Se realizaron correlaciones a través del coeficiente de Pearson o Spearman, y asociaciones bivariadas mediante ji cuadrada de Pearson y el test exacto de Fisher, considerando un p<0.05. Resultados: De las MM, 70.8% alcanzó sobrepeso u obesidad; y 68.8% y 96% riesgo cardiometabólico de acuerdo con PC e ICE, respectivamente. Su CF presentó un rendimiento igual (53.5%) o superior (33.8%) según su edad y sexo. Se encontraron correlaciones inversas entre estado nutricional y riesgo cardiometabólico con las pruebas de CF (excepto la agilidad y equilibrio dinámico, en donde la relación fue directa), y asociación directa con juntar manos. Conclusiones: El exceso de peso en MM físicamente activas no afecta su rendimiento físico-funcional; sin embargo, el riesgo cardiometabólico se asocia inversamente con la funcionalidad motriz.

Abstract: Objective: To associate health anthropometric indexes with physical fitness of elderly women (EW) who participate in physical exercise workshops. Materials and methods: 272 Chilean women over 60 years took part in the study. The variables studied were BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-height index (WHI) and physical fitness (PF). Correlations were made through the Pearson or Spearman coefficient, and bivariate associations using Pearson’s Chi-square and the Fisher’s exact test, considering p<0.05. Results: 70.8% of the EW were overweight or obese; 68.8% and 96% were at cardiometabolic risk due to their WC and WHI, respectively. Their PF showed equal performance (53.5%) or higher (33.8%) according to their age and gender. Inverse correlations were found between nutritional status and cardiometabolic risk with PF tests (except for agility and dynamic balance [direct]), and direct association with back scratch test. Conclusions: Excess weight in physically active EW would not affect their physical-functional performance; however, cardiometabolic risk would be inversely associated with motor function.

Resumen: Objetivo: Asociar los índices antropométricos de salud con la condición física de las mujeres mayores (MM) que participan en talleres de ejercicio físico. Material y métodos: Participaron 272 mujeres chilenas mayores de 60 años. Las variables correspondieron al IMC, perímetro de cintura (PC), índice cintura estatura (ICE) y condición física (CF). Se realizaron correlaciones a través del coeficiente de Pearson o Spearman, y asociaciones bivariadas mediante ji cuadrada de Pearson y el test exacto de Fisher, considerando un p<0.05. Resultados: De las MM, 70.8% alcanzó sobrepeso u obesidad; y 68.8% y 96% riesgo cardiometabólico de acuerdo con PC e ICE, respectivamente. Su CF presentó un rendimiento igual (53.5%) o superior (33.8%) según su edad y sexo. Se encontraron correlaciones inversas entre estado nutricional y riesgo cardiometabólico con las pruebas de CF (excepto la agilidad y equilibrio dinámico, en donde la relación fue directa), y asociación directa con juntar manos. Conclusiones: El exceso de peso en MM físicamente activas no afecta su rendimiento físico-funcional; sin embargo, el riesgo cardiometabólico se asocia inversamente con la funcionalidad motriz.

Introduction: Programs focused on active aging do not always have actions to guide the elderly about healthy eating. Therefore, the concordance between the feeding habits and the morphological characteristics of this population group is little known. Objective: To correlate the anthropometric health indexes with the frequency of food consumption in physically active elderly (PAE). Methods: The sample consisted of 307 physically active Chilean elders of both sexes (8.4% males), with a mean age of 70.2 years. The studied variables corresponded to nutritional status, abdominal adiposity, cardiovascular risk and frequency of food consumption. A logistic regression model was applied, considering α < 0.05. Results: Fruit intake (OR = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.92) and water consumption (OR = 0.20; CI 95%, 0.04-0.90) are shown as protective factors for obesity; on the other hand, alcohol consumption (OR = 4.19; 95% CI, 1.03-17.02) and sweet snacks (OR = 10.68; 95% CI, 1.85-61.74) are presented as risk factors for obesity. In addition, vegetable intake (OR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11-0.92) was associated as a protective factor against abdominal adiposity and sweet snack consumption (OR = 6.45; 95% CI, 1.08-38.43) as a factor to present cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: The PAE that are more frequent in the consumption of healthy foods also show better nutritional status, abdominal adiposity and lower cardiovascular risk than active Chilean elderly who exhibit less healthy eating behaviors.

Introducción: los programas enfocados en el envejecimiento activo no siempre cuentan con acciones que orienten a los adultos mayores en torno a la alimentación saludable. Esta situación hace poco conocida la concordancia entre los hábitos de alimentación con las características morfológicas de este grupo de la población. Objetivo: relacionar los índices antropométricos de salud con la frecuencia en el consumo de alimentos en adultos mayores físicamente activos (AMFA). Métodos: la muestra incluyó 307 adultos mayores chilenos físicamente activos de ambos sexos (8,4% varones), con una edad media de 70,1 años. Las variables estudiadas correspondieron al estado nutricional, adiposidad abdominal, riesgo cardiovascular y frecuencia en el consumo de alimentos. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística, considerando un α < 0,05. Resultados: la ingesta de frutas (OR = 0,12; IC 95%, 0,02-0,92) y el consumo de agua (OR = 0,20; IC 95%, 0,04-0,90) se exhiben como factores protectores frente a la obesidad. En cambio, el consumo de alcohol (OR = 4,19; IC 95%, 1,03-17,02) y snacks dulces (OR = 10,68; IC 95%, 1,85-61,74) se presentan como factores de riesgo para la obesidad. Además, la ingesta de verduras (OR = 0,32; IC 95%, 0,11-0,92) se asoció como un factor protector frente a la adiposidad abdominal, y el consumo de snacks dulces (OR = 6,45; IC 95%, 1,08-38,43), como un factor para presentar riesgo cardiovascular. Conclusión: los AMFA que presentan mayor frecuencia en el consumo de alimentos saludables manifiestan también mejor estado nutricional, adiposidad abdominal y menor riesgo cardiovascular respecto a los adultos mayores chilenos activos que exhiben conductas de alimentación menos saludables.