SAÚDE E QUALIDADE DE VIDA NA POPULAÇÃO ENVELHECIDA - UM ESTUDO DE CARACTERIZAÇÃO MORFO-FUNCIONAL DOS MENOS JOVENS NA REGIÃO AUTÓNOMA DA MADEIRA

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Publications

Multivariate analysis of lifestyle, constitutive and body composition factors influencing bone health in community-dwelling older adults from Madeira, Portugal

Publication . Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Blimkie, Cameron Joseph; Maia, José António Ribeiro; Lopes, Carla; Gouveia, Bruna Raquel; Freitas, Duarte Luís de

2014Journal article

Open access

Sex differences in relation patterns between health-related quality of life of older adults and its correlates: a population-based cross-sectional study in Madeira, Portugal

Publication . Gouveia, Bruna R.; Ihle, Andreas; Kliegel, Matthias; Freitas, Duarte L.; Gouveia, Élvio R.

A population-based cross-sectional study aimed to examine sex differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults, and investigate whether the relation patterns between HRQoL and its correlates differed between sexes. A stratified proportional and representative sample included 802 volunteers, aged 60-79. HRQoL (36-item Short Form Health Survey), functional fitness (Senior Fitness Test), physical activity (PA) (Baecke questionnaire), demographic information and health features (questionnaires) were assessed. Men showed significantly higher HRQoL (P<0.001). Body mass index, body strength, aerobic endurance, PA, depressive symptoms, falls, and living alone were significantly related to HRQoL. With sex as moderator, these relations were not significant, except for PA (β=0.12, P=0.004). A significant interaction of sex with PA on HRQoL (β=0.08, P=0.037) was found, indicating that this relation was higher in men. A similar relation pattern was found for HRQoL physical component. HRQoL and its correlates differed between sexes, demanding a sex specific approach to promote HRQoL.

2018Journal article

Restricted access

Muscle strength and balance as mediators in the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults

Publication . Maio Nascimento, Marcelo de; Gouveia, Bruna R.; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Campos, Pedro; Marques, Adilson; Ihle, Andreas

Lower extremity muscle strength (LEMS) and body balance (BB) are essential for older adults to maintain an upright posture and autonomously perform their basic activities of daily living. This study aimed to examine whether LEMS and BB mediate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a large sample of community-dwelling older adults. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 802 individuals, 401 males and 401 females (69.8 ± 5.6 years), residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. PA and HRQoL were assessed by the Baecke Questionnaire and e SF-36, respectively. LEMS was assessed by the Senior Fitness Test and BB by the Fullerton Advance Balance (FAB). The serial mediation pathway model pointed out that LEMS and BB partially mediated the association between PA and HRQoL in approximately 39.6% and 47%, respectively. The total variance in HRQoL explained by the entire model was 98%. Our findings may indicate the role that LEMS and BB play in the relationship between PA and HRQoL in the older population.

2022Journal article

Open access

Skeletal muscle and physical activity in Portuguese community-dwelling older adults

Publication . Gouveia, Élvio R.; Gouveia, Bruna R.; Maia, José A.; Blimkie, Cameron J.; Freitas, Duarte L.

The aims of this study were to describe age- and sex-related differences in total body skeletal muscle (TB-SM) mass and to determine the variance explained by physical activity (PA). This cross-sectional study included 401 males and 402 females, aged 60-79 years. TB-SM was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and PA by Baecke questionnaire. Statistical analysis included t test, ANOVAs, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression analysis. TB-SM mass was higher in the youngest age group when compared with the oldest in males and females. Males had greater TB-SM values than females. PA made a significant and positive contribution to the variation in TB-SM P = 0.071 \ p — .016. Sex, height, fat mass, and PA explained 77% of the variance in TB-SM. The oldest cohorts and females had lower TB-SM than the younger cohorts and males. This study suggests that PA exerts a significant role in the explanation of TB-SM.

2016Journal article

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Correlates of health-related quality of life in young-old and old–old community-dwelling older adults

Publication . Gouveia, Élvio R. Quintal; Gouveia, Bruna R.; Ihle, Andreas; Kliegel, Matthias; Maia, José A.; Bermúdez i Badia, Sergi; Freitas, Duarte L.

Purpose This study aimed (1) to examine the role of potential correlates of HRQoL in a large representative sample of older adults, and (2) to investigate whether the relationships between HRQoL and potential factors differ as a function of HRQoL component (physical vs. mental) and/or age cohort (young-old vs. old–old). Methods This cross-sectional study included 802 older adults aged 60–79 years old. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Physical activity was measured via the Baecke questionnaire. Demographic information, mental and health features were obtained through questionnaires. Results A multiple regression analysis showed that BMI (β = −0.15, p = 0.001), body strength (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), aerobic endurance (β = 0.29, p < 0.001), physical activity (β = 0.11, p = 0.007), depressive symptoms (β = −0.19, p < 0.001), falls (β = −0.19, p < 0.001), and living alone (β = −0.16, p < 0.001) were all significantly related to HRQoL-SF-36 total score. The positive relation with aerobic endurance was significantly higher for the physical component of HRQoL, while the negative relation with living alone was significantly higher for the mental component. The positive relation of HRQoL with physical activity was significantly higher in old–old compared to young-old adults. Conclusion This data suggest that body composition, functional fitness, psycho-social factors, and falls are important correlates of HRQoL in old age. There are HRQoL-component and age-cohort differences regarding these correlates, underlying the need for specific strategies at the community level to promote HRQoL in older adults.

2017Journal article

Restricted access