A RELAÇÃO ENTRE A FORÇA DE PREENSÃO MANUAL E A APTIDÃO FÍSICA FUNCIONAL EM OCTOGENÁRIOS E NONAGENÁRIOS.

Handgrip strength (HGS) and functional physical fitness (FPF) are important indicators of the elderly's functional capacity. This study aimed to characterize and explore the relations between HGS and FPF in octogenarians and nonagenarians. HGS, FPF, Self-reported physical activity, and anthropometric variables were assessed in 124 octogenarians and 35 nonagenarians of both genders in the Northern Interior Region of Portugal. Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation coefficient tests were used. In a sample with higher levels of total and central adiposity (28,3±4,8 kg/m² and 97,8±12,5 cm, respectively) and lower FPF (> 40% at the 10th percentile), men showed higher HGS than women (octogenarian ♂ 27,8±1.3 kgf vs ♀ 16,5±0,5 kgf, and nonagenarians ♂ 22,6±1,5 kgf vs ♀ 14,9±1,5 kgf). The octogenarians HGS showed a significant correlation with FPF. In the nonagenarians, this correlation was only significant in the cardiorespiratory fitness test (r= 0,498, p < 0,01). We conclude that better HGS values are correlated with higher levels of FPF in octogenarians and better cardiorespiratory condition in nonagenarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]