P5: PREMATURE FUNCTIONAL DECLINE IN WOMEN OVER 40 YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Introduction: Early functional changes in women compromise elements such as muscle mass and strength, physical function, and gait speed, leading to a physiological decline that may contribute to frailty in old age.

Objectives: This study aimed to relate strength and physical performance to premature functional decline in women aged 40 years and older.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted, and two groups of women were contrasted (40 to 60 years old and 60 and over), completing a sample of 31 women. Functional decline, lower limb muscle power, prehensile strength, physical performance, gait speed, phenotype of frailty status, level of physical activity, and other sociodemographic factors were contrasted. The UCT internal ethicscommittee.

Results: Preliminary results showed that, among the demographic variables, women over 60 had a lower level of schooling, with 29% having incomplete basic education. Both groups reported a similar number of children: 93% in those under 60 and 100% in those over 60, with an average of 2.3 and 3.06 children, respectively. Statistically significant differences were detected in physical performance, lower limb strength, and gait speed, which were higher in women under 60.

Conclusions: The present report detected that lower limb strength, a determinant of great relevance in the aging population, affects gait speed. Likewise, muscle strength leads to a more rapid decline in older people. In both groups, physical performance played a crucial role in characterizing aging and frailty, particularly at ages over 60, when a decline in performance was evident. Notably, there were no variations in grip strength or physical activity levels, possibly because both groups performed poorly, raising the possibility of functional decline in women who have not yet reached old age.