Estudio comparativo de la autonomía funcional de adultos mayores: atletas y sedentarios, en altitud moderada

The systematic practice of physical activity contributes to improve living and health conditions and slows dawn the aging process in seniors. Objective. Identify differences in functional autonomy in 60-70 year old mountain cyclists and sedentary males residing in Tunja, at moderate height. Materials and Methods. Comparative analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 22 elderly males participated; 11 sedentary seniors and 11 mountain cyclists, ages between 60 and 70 (mean 63.03 ± 4.32 years). Subjects agreed to take the Kinanthropometric assessment using a bioimpedance analysis, the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery developed by Rikli and Jones (1999a), the submaximal Astrand Test and the Right and Left Handgrip Dynamometer Test. Results: Groups were comparable in age, weight, height and body mass index (p> 0.05). Statistically significant differences were recorded in favor of the mountain cyclist group, in the mean percentage of body fat, bone density, and muscle mass; Statistically significant differences were found in the SFT test, specifically in hip flexion (p<0.001) and in the submaximal test in the stress test in Watts (p=0.021). Statistically significant differences were also found in the left hand during the dynamometry test. (p=0.0007). Conclusion. Seniors who routinely practice physical activities, such as mountain biking, show better indicators of health in body composition, waist flexibility, aerobic capacity and motor skills.