Efeito dos exercícios multimodais na prevenção de quedas em idosos ativos revisão de literatura

Abstract

Falls are a geriatric syndrome that affect the life quality of many elderly. They can cause both morbidity and mortality. Approximately 30% of the elderly over 60 years old fall at least once a year. This affects the impairment of functionality in activities of daily living, work and leisure. The present study aimed to investigate whether multimodal exercises prevent falls in active elderly living in the community. In this literature review, we included studies with active and noninstitutionalized elderly people of both sexes. We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Systyem Online (MEDLINE), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Cochrane databases. The search was restricted to publications in English, Spanish or Portuguese, but without restriction the date of publication. The descriptors fall, elderly, prevention, exercise, multi-component exercise, physical therapy and their equivalents in Portuguese and Spanish were used. We found 10 studies that used multimodal training as a way to prevent falls in the elderly. It was verified that after the use of the interventions of the multimodal exercises, associated to the behavioral orientations in relation to risk factors for the prevention of falls, it was possible to prevent falls among the active elderly living in the community. Muscle strength gains, improved balance and improved gait are important for preventing falls. Thus, it was verified by the present literature review that multimodal exercises can be used to prevent falls in the elderly.