O impacto da Sarcopenia na capacidade funcional do idoso

Abstract

Sarcopenia is one of the most significant physiological changes associated with aging and appears to be primarily responsible for the loss of functional mobility in the elderly. The objective of this study was to conduct a literature review to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on functional capacity of the elderly. A review of studies published last 10 years, in electronic databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane, PEDro, SciELO and LILACS. The descriptors used were: aging and sarcopenia, performance or mobility, old or elderly and functional dependence and their equivalents in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Of the 90 studies found, eight were included in the review. The study results demonstrated that sarcopenia is associated with functional disability, generating a negative impact on the life of the elderly, such as limiting the individual's functional capacity to perform normal activities of daily living and increase in the number of falls. The literature indicates physiological parameters such as mass, strength, power and endurance, as predictors of functional capacity, which are highly modifiable. The sarcopenia associated with aging is a slow, gradual and seemingly inevitable. Consequences directly affect the functional capacity and quality of life for seniors. The maintenance of physical activity level, the optimization of strength training and muscle power, can reduce the consequences of sarcopenia and to prevent and or mitigate functional decline in elderly individuals.The physiotherapy intervention playsa key role in the management of sarcopenia, improving the quality of life of elderly.