SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the level of disability and pain in capoeira practitioners. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Data collection took place at the training sites of participants. The Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain questionnaire for athletes (SEFIP-sport) was used to assess the pain and disability. Descriptive analysis was performed with the presentation of variables through mean and standard deviation (SD) or absolute number and percentage. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 65 capoeira practitioners. Of these, 42 (64.61%) reported pain or discomfort. The total score of the SEFIP-sport presented an average of 2.28 points (SD=2.65). The body regions with the highest reports of pain and disability were the knees, lower back, and wrist/hands. However, we observed a mild degree of disability measured by SEFIP-sport. CONCLUSIONS: The knees, lower back, and wrists/hands were the regions of the body with the highest reports of pain and disability. However, the disability presented by capoeira practitioners was slight.

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito do treinamento físico sobre os níveis de força e a qualidade de vida, considerando capacidade funcional, limitações físicas, dor, estado geral de saúde, vitalidade e variáveis de relação social em idosas institucionalizadas. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 36 idosas com 60 ou mais anos de idade, recrutadas no Serviço Social do Comércio (SESC), na cidade de São Luís-MA, compondo dois grupos: sedentário (n=16) e treinamento (n=20). Determinou-se a força muscular isométrica máxima dos extensores da coluna lombar e joelho, flexores de cotovelo e abdutores dos ombros, com o uso do dinamômetro NPRO2000. Aplicou-se questionário SF-36 para avaliação da qualidade de vida. O treinamento ocorreu em sessões, duas vezes por semana, de 60 minutos, por 12 semanas. A intensidade foi estabelecida pela zona de repetições máximas (três a quatro séries; 8 a 12 repetições) e a ordem dos exercícios foi modificada a cada quatro semanas. Estatisticamente, foi utilizado o teste t Student do programa SPSS 10.0. RESULTADOS: O grupo sedentário não alcançou valor significativo nas variáveis estudadas; o grupo treinamento atingiu escores significativos de ganho de força, nos extensores do joelho (p=0,0032; 30,23%) e extensores da coluna lombar (p=0,0207; 12,33%). A avaliação da qualidade de vida apresentou-se significativa, com aumento percentual nos domínios da capacidade funcional (p=0,0092; 11,05%), estado geral de saúde (p=0,0075; 14,17%), vitalidade (p=0,0015; 15,38%) e saúde mental (p=0,0154; 9,64%). CONCLUSÃO: O treinamento de força proposto promoveu aumento significativo na força muscular, repercutindo na melhoria da qualidade de vida nos domínios capacidade funcional, estado geral de saúde, vitalidade e saúde mental.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of exercise training on the levels of strength and quality of life in elderly women, considering the functional capacity, physical limitations, pain, general health, vitality and social relationship variables in institutionalized elderly. METHODS: The study participants were 36 elderly women over 60 years old, recruited in the Social Service of Commerce (SESC), city of São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil, divided in tw groups: the sedentary group (n=16) and training group (n=20). All were 60 years or more, had not performed strength training for six months and had no restrictions on this practice. Before and after training, it was determined maximal isometric muscle strength of the extensors of the lumbar spine and knee, the elbow flexors and abductors of the shoulder, using the dynamometer NPRO2000. We used the SF-36 questionnaire to assess te quality of life. Training was conducted for 12 weeks with twice-weekly sessions of 60 minutes. The intensity was set by the zone of maximum repetitions (3-4 sets, 8-12 reps) and the order of exercises changed every four weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test program SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: The sedentary group did not achieve any statistically significant value in any variable studied; the training group achieved statistically significant scores and percentage values of strength gain, respectively, in knee extensors (p=0.0032, 30.23%) and extensors of the lumbar spine (p=0.0207; 12.33%). The results obtained in evaluating the quality of life showed statistically significant percentage increase in the functional capacity (p=0.0092; 11.05%), general health (p=0.0075; 14,17%), vitality (p=0.0015, 15.38%) and mental health (p=0.0154; 9.64%) of elderly submitted to strength training. CONCLUSION: The strength training proposed in this study caused a significant increase in muscle strength that reflected in the improvement of quality of life in the domains of physical functioning, general health, vitality and mental health of elderly women submitted to strength training.