Objective: To verify the correlation between functional capacity, reaction time, and
cognition, as well as to compare the variables among different age groups in older adults.
Materials and Methods: The study had a cross-sectional, correlational, and comparative
nature. Older adults over 60 years of age of both sexes participated in the study. The
groups were organized according to age ranges of "60 to 70 years" and "above 70 years."
The participants underwent assessments of: Cognition, Functional Capacity - using the
tests "Chair Stand" (CS), "Forearm Flexion" (FF), "2.44m Walk and Sit" (WWS), "Reach
Behind Back" (RBB), "Sit and Reach" (SR), "6-Minute Walk" (6MW), and Simple
Reaction Time. Results: A positive and significant association was found in women
between functional capacity variables (FF x CS; r = 0.636; p<0.001) and inverse
associations between variables (WWS x CS; r = -0.488; p<0.01) and (WWS x FF; r = -
0.390; p<0.05). In men, an inverse and significant association was found only in the
variables (WWS x FF; r = -0.857; p<0.05). Women in the age range of 60 to 70 years
showed better performance in cognition (25.47 ± 2.06 vs. 23.08 ± 4.33 points; p<0.05).
Conclusions: No significant associations were found between cognition and reaction
time in older adults. The levels of cognition in women showed differences, indicating that
age appears to have an impact on this variable. Future research that expands the
geographical and population scope is recommended.
|
