Aging induces neuromuscular changes and mass, strength, muscular
resistance and power, motor coordination, so, reaction and movement
speed reduction may be compromised [1]. These changes result in
slower movements and functional limitations in gait and weight transfer
activities [1]. Even more, the functional fitness decreasing due to
aging, increases the risk of falls and bone fractures [2], reducing the
elderly’s quality of life.
Objective
Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of an eight
months multicomponent training program in elderly’s gait and bone
mineral mass (BMM).
Methods
Forty-nine elderlies were recruited for this research with 64.39 (± 6.33)
years old, 11 males with 67.45 (± 4.93) and 38 females with 63.50 (± 7.47)
years old. The subjects were community living persons of Bragança. All
procedures carried out in this research were in accordance to the Declaration
of Helsinki. The multicomponent training program followed the Carvalho
et al. [1], recommendations. Each session time volume was
between 50 to 60 minutes. The sessions were divided in five parts: 1) general
warm-up; 2) walking with aerobic exercises; 3) 1 to 3 sets of exercises
of muscular resistance with 12 to 15 repetitions; 4) Static and dynamic
balance training; 5) An active recovery period with stretching and breading
exercises. The elderlies gait was evaluated with Berg Balance Scale
(BBS) and BMM with bioimpedance (Tanita, BC-545). The Wilcoxon-Mann-
Whitney test allowed to assess the differences between pre and post 8
months of the training program in BBS and BMM. The tests were performed
with a significant level of 5%.
Results
The BBS values pre and post the multicomponent training program for
BBS were 47.33 and 50.33 respectively. In BMM, the pre and post values
were 2.36kg and 2.39 kg. Despite the differences in BMM means, they
were not significant between the two moments (F = 1.253; p = 0.706).
However, the same did not occur in terms of BMS values (F = 1.967; p<
0.001), where gait values increased significantly in the second moment.
Conclusions
Although the multicomponent training program did not increase the
BMM in the elderly subjects, gait values increased significantly. Thus,
it is possible to conclude that, the training program significantly improved
the elderlies’ gait and quality of life.
Background: Parents or other caregivers usually resort to the use of medication without prescription in their children, which can be considered as a facilitative process of drug intoxication. The child is not an adult in small size, which necessarily has implications for the use of drugs to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Objectives: To examine the use of pediatric medicines and associated factors in children of pre-school and 1st cycle of basic education in the city of Bragança, in Northeast of Portugal.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study, was based on a questionnaire applied to 371 parents or guardians of children of pre-school and 1st cycle of basic education in the city of Bragança, in the academic year 2014/2015. Statistical analysis was performed on the SPSS program, v. 20.0. It was used descriptive statistics, correlations were accessed using Spearman and qui-square tests, considering the significance level of 5%.
Results: The results revealed that 86% of parents use drugs without prescription, of these 49% resort to this practice under the influence of ancient medical guidelines and 28% under the influence of information transmitted in the pharmacy. Mostly of parents (53%) resort to self-medication to relieve fever or treatment of influenza symptoms (14%) of their children. No statistically significant factors related to the use of nonprescription medication in children were found.
Conclusions: Pediatric self-medication is a common practice, especially made based on old medical guidelines. Pediatric self-medication is a common practice, especially made based on old medical guidelines. Although no explanatory factors have been found for this pediatric self-medication.
The authors thank Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal)
and the infrastructure FEDER under the PT2020 program for financial support
to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013).
