A importância do alongamento na reabilitação da marcha de idosos

Abstract

During the aging process some changes occur in the muscle-skeletal system, such as loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and increased rate of fat and fibrous tissue deposition (collagen), and modifications of the elastin fiber. The loss of joint flexibility, derived from these changes, such as hip extension, can be a significant factor in changes in gait and reduce the mobility of the elderly. This work has as its aim to show the importance of stretching as part of a program that focuses the gait physical therapy approach and its impact on the aging process. This study is a narrative review of the literature through the Medline/Pubmed, BIREME (SciELO/LILACS/Cochrane) and PEDro databasis. Articles published in the last ten years were analyzed, in Portuguese and English and in these which used stretching muscles of the lower limbs of elderly patients over 60 years, and achieved some measure as an outcome of the gait and these changes were evaluated not only by analysis of components of the gait but also by functional tests made of items that examine some measure of this outcome. In the analyzed studies, the authors found a significant improvement in gait or functional performance of elders with a flexibility increment to the muscles of the lower limb, including gait parameters found similar to those ones reported in healthy young adults. Therefore, the stretching should be considered as a supporting in the maintenance and increasing mobility in the elderly.