Efeito de intervenções fisioterapêuticas de fortalecimento muscular na velocidade de marcha de idosos da comunidade

Abstract

Objective: To carry out a systematic review of the literature on physical therapy interventions of muscle strengthening in the lower limbs and their effects in gait speed of community dwelling elderly. Methods: Systematic review of randomized studies published between 2006 and 2011 in the databases MEDLINE, PEDro, SciELO, LiLACS, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL). We included articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Were excluded studies with sample composed of hospitalized, post surgical, institutionalized, with neurological or chronic-degenerative conditions; articles that intervention were not only strength training. Results: Were found 180 articles, and 10 studies were selected to be included in this present review. The articles were different in protocols of muscle strengthening, duration and frequency, intensity, supervision and methodological quality. There was also variability about tests to assess the walking speed, and the distance used, which complicates the comparative analysis of results. Conclusion: There is a little evidence of the effects of muscle strengthening physiotherapy interventions in walking speed of elderly community. The protocols with long duration, high frequency and intensity, seem to be more effective at increasing gait speed of community elderly.