CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BMI AND PHYSICAL CAPACITY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE ATTENDING A COMMUNITY CENTER IN PORTO VELHO, RONDÔNIA

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate associations between body mass index (BMI) and variables of physical-functional capacity of elderly individuals attending the Senior Citizen Center (CCI) in the city of Porto Velho. Thirty-six elderly individuals, aged between 60 and 81 years, participated in the study. Static balance, mobility, flexibility and strength were measured. Data were analyzed quantitatively, and associations were verified using Spearman's correlation test. No significant associations were found between BMI and physical-functional capacity. When considering all subjects, strength showed a significant correlation with mobility and flexibility. In the analyses of females (n=21), in addition to these, correlations were found between strength and balance, and balance and mobility. In males (n=15), only strength and mobility showed an association. The results reveal that while BMI does not show a correlation with physical-functional capacity, strength has an important association with other variables relevant to the functional capacity of elderly individuals.