RESUMO As quedas são consideradas um problema de saúde pública e a atividade física é uma estratégia eficaz para preveni-la. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito de um programa de atividade física na aptidão física, medo de cair e qualidade de vida em grupos de idosos com e sem quedas. Estudo realizado com participantes de um programa multicomponente de atividade física em uma universidade do Brasil, divididos em: caidores (n = 25) e não caidores (n = 133). Foram avaliados através do Senior Fitness Test, Falls Efficacy Scale-International Brasil e do The Medical Outcomes Study 36. A média, o desvio padrão, o teste t de Student e o tamanho do efeito foram realizados. Houve diferença entre os indivíduos caidores e não caidores na FLEXMI (p=0,05), FMS (p=0,04), RA (p=0,03), FES (p=0,00), SF36 (p=0,00). O grupo não caidor melhorou a aptidão física. O pré teste do grupo caidor mostrou aumento do medo de cair em comparação com o grupo não caidor. O programa de atividade física não influenciou o medo de cair em nenhum dos grupos. A qualidade de vida apresentou melhores resultados no grupo não caidor, com variação em alguns aspectos entre os grupos e ao longo do tempo. Idosos com história prévia de quedas necessitam de um programa físico diferenciado.

ABSTRACT Falls are considered a public health problem and physical activity is an effective strategy to prevent fall. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of a physical activity program on physical fitness, fear of falling and quality of life in groups of faller and non-faller older adults. Study was conducted with participants of a multicomponent program of physical activity at a university in Brazil. The participants were assigned to: faller (n=25) and non-faller (n=133) groups. Participants were assessed using the Senior Fitness Test, Falls Efficacy Scale-International Brasil and The Medical Outcomes Study 36. Mean, standard deviation, Student “t” test and effect size were conducted. There was a difference between faller and non-faller individuals at LLFLEX (p=0,05), LLS (p=0,04), BA (p=0,03), FES (p=0,00), SF36 (p=0,00). The group of non-faller elderly people improved physical fitness. The pre test of the faller group showed increased fear of falling in comparison to the non-faller group. The physical activity program did not influence fear of falling in any of the groups. The quality of life showed better results in the non-faller group, with variation in some aspects between groups and over time. Elderly people with a previous history of falls need a differentiated physical program.

RESUMO Introdução Aparelhos portáteis realizam triagem que identifica possíveis alterações auditivas, permitindo maior número de beneficiados. Além disso, questionários de autoavaliação podem oferecer panorama da percepção que o idoso tem do seu problema. Objetivo Verificar se os resultados da triagem auditiva em idosos se relacionam com a percepção da restrição de participação social e se existe influência da idade, gênero e escolaridade, nas variáveis. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com idosos em dois centros de convivência. Foi realizada uma anamnese, em que constavam dados de identificação, idade e escolaridade. Foi realizada a inspeção visual do meato acústico externo e, em seguida, a triagem auditiva, utilizando equipamento portátil. Em forma de entrevista, aplicou-se o questionário Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening Version (HHIE-S), constituído de 10 questões e dividido em duas escalas, a social e a emocional, cada uma composta de cinco questões. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados estatisticamente. Resultados Foram avaliados 64 idosos, de ambos os gêneros, com média de idade de 70 anos e 8 meses. Destes, 48 (75%) apresentaram-se sem percepção de restrição, 12 (18,75%), com percepção leve a moderada e quatro (6,25%), com percepção significante, segundo classificação do questionário. Os resultados da triagem e do questionário não foram influenciados pelo gênero e pela escolaridade. A idade também não influenciou a pontuação do questionário, porém, houve associação da idade com a triagem e também houve associação entre a triagem auditiva e o questionário. Conclusão Idosos que “falharam” na triagem auditiva apresentaram maior pontuação no questionário e idosos mais velhos apresentaram piores resultados na triagem auditiva.

ABSTRACT Introduction Portable equipment can now perform screenings that identify possible hearing loss, allowing a greater number of people to be evaluated. Self-assessment questionnaires may also provide an overview of the elderly’s perception of their problem. Purpose To examine if the hearing-screening results in the elderly are related to their perceived restriction in social participation, and whether they are influenced by age, gender and schooling. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with elderly people of two cohabitation centers. Medical history and participant details were collected, including name, age, and schooling data. Visual inspection of the external auditory meatus and hearing screening using portable equipment were then performed. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening Version (HHIE-S) questionnaire was then administered in the form of an interview. The HHIE-S consists of ten questions divided into two scales—social and emotional - each composed of five questions. The data were then statistically analyzed. Results Sixty-four elderly people, comprising men and women, with a mean age of 70 years and 8 months, were evaluated. Of these, 48 (75%) were classified as without perceived restriction, 12 (18.75%) with mild to moderate perceived restriction, and four (6.25%) with significant perceived restriction, according to the questionnaire criteria. The screening and questionnaire results were not influenced by gender and schooling. Age did not influence the questionnaire score, but was associated with the hearing-screening outcome. There was a relationship between hearing screening and scores on the questionnaire. Conclusion Elderly patients who “failed” the hearing screening had higher scores in the questionnaire and older adults had worse hearing-screening results.

Abstract Introduction Tinnitus is a symptom that affects mainly the elderly and can negatively influence their quality of life. Objective The objective of our study is to evaluate the existence of a relationship between the quality of life and the impact caused by tinnitus in elderly individuals, considering the age and gender variables. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study in elderly people of both genders who participate in the extension activities at the university. The evaluation was composed of anamnesis and WHOQOL-OLD instruments, to evaluate the quality of life, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) for the evaluation of the tinnitus impact. Result We evaluated 36 elderly individuals with an average age of 68.6 ± 6.8 years old, 72.2 % of them were women. We verified that most of the subjects classified their tinnitus as weak (44.4%) ormedium (36.1%). The score average in the THI was 20 points, with predominant classification of tinnitus impact as negligible (41.7%) or mild (30.6%). In the WHOQOL-OLD, the average score was 15.6 ± 1.6 points (total score). The negative correlation between the THI score and the WHOQOL-OLD score was found in the sensory domain operation and total score. Conclusion The results obtained in the study prove that the quality of life of the elderly individuals evaluated is related to a discomfort caused by the tinnitus.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi analisar os efeitos de um programa físico de equilíbrio em variáveis associadas às quedas em idosos. Participaram do programa 17 indivíduos com média de idade de 75,73 anos. Foram utilizados os testes de apoio unipodal (AU), TimedUpand Go (TUG), alcance funcional (AF), força (FMI), flexibilidade de membros inferiores (FLEXMI) e o questionário FES-I. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se o teste de Wilcoxon (p≤0,05) para comparação entre os dois momentos de avaliação. Para a análise da classificação dos testes de equilíbrio utilizou-se cálculos de distribuição (frequência e percentual) dos períodos pré e pós-treinamento. Os resultados apontaram mudança estatística significante entre o período pré e pós-treinamento nas variáveis AU, TUG e FLEXMI. A classificação dos resultados indicou melhora no pós-teste, havendo assim uma tendência na melhora do equilíbrio após o treinamento, auxiliando na prevenção de quedas.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a balanced program for preventing falls in the elderly. The sample consisted of 17 subjects (age: 75.73 ± 8.57). The tests used were one foot (AU), Timed Up and Go (TUG), functional reach (AF), strength (IMF) and flexibility of the lower limbs (FLEXMI) of Rikli and 19 Jones (1999) protocol, FES-I questionnaire. For data analysis we used the comparative statistics with the Wilcoxon test (p = 0.05) between pre and post-test. For the analysis of the classification of balance tests we used distribution calculations (frequency and percentage). There was no statistically significant change between the pre and post-training in the variables AU, TUG and FLEXMI. The classification of the results showed improved post-test, showing a tendency to improve balance after training and helping to prevent falls

Abstract Introduction Dizziness is a symptom that can lead to falls, which, in turn, undermine oné s independence and autonomy, leading to several comorbidities. The practice of physical exercise, however, can help prevent falls. Objective The objective of this study is to confirm the association between physical exercise, dizziness, probability of falling, and depressive symptoms in a group of middleaged adults and seniors. Methods The authors evaluated subjects based on history, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and functional reach test. Results The sample consisted of 90 individuals with a mean age of 69.3 6.8 years. The authors found that 37.8% had been practicing exercise, 33.7% had depressive symptoms, and their probability of falling was above average in the functional reach test. Conclusion The results of this study indicated an association between dizziness, exercise practice and depressive symptoms, indicating that physical activity is a beneficial factor for the aging population.