Influência do nível de atividade física sobre o desempenho cognitivo no teste de Stroop / Influence of the physical activity level on cognitive performance in the Stroop test

Introdução: O teste de Stroop é comumente utilizado para avaliar a flexibilidade cognitiva e função executiva. O teste mostrou correlacionar-se com variáveis como idade, nível educacional e atividade física, porém, pouco se sabe sobre as variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho no teste em populações previamente ativas. Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho no teste de Stroop em população fisicamente ativa. Métodos: 89 estudantes foram recrutados, os mesmos tiveram seus níveis de atividade física avaliado por questionário e composição corporal avaliada por bioimpedância. Resultado: Observamos que as variáveis relacionadas à prática de atividade física não apresentaram correlação com o teste de Stroop. Foi identificado correlação do teste com as variáveis peso corporal e índice de massa corporal (IMC), sendo que maiores valores de peso e IMC resultaram em melhor desempenho no teste. Conclusão: Para indivíduos fisicamente ativos, outros fatores parecem ser preponderantes à atividade física com relação ao desempenho no teste de Stroop.

Introduction: The Stroop test is commonly used to assess cognitive flexibility and executive function. The test was correlated with variables such as age, educational level and physical activity, but little is known about variables related to performance in this test in previously active populations. Objective: To evaluate Stroop performance in a physically active population. Methods: 89 recruited students had their physical activity levels assessed by questionnaire and body composition evaluated by bioimpedance. Result: We observed that variables related to the physical activity level did not present correlation with the Stroop test. Was identified correlation of the test with the variables body weight and body mass index (BMI), being that higher values of weight and BMI resulted in better Stroop performance. Conclusion: For physical active individuals, other factors may be preponderant to physical activity in relation to Stroop performance.

Cutoff values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass and strength in relation to fear of falling among Brazilian older adults: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia is an emerging public health issue in Brazil. Because of its high prevalence and the lack of national data, the objective here was to identify cutoff points for appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) and handgrip strength in relation to fear of falling among Brazilian older adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study; in the community. METHODS: Participants underwent morphological and functional evaluations; and were asked about previous falls and fear of falling. Different adjustments to ASM and handgrip strength were used. Slow walking speed was defined as < 0.8 m/s or 1.0 m/s. Gender and age groups were compared using t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify cutoffs for ASM and handgrip strength in relation to fear of falling. RESULTS: 578 older adults participated in this study. Function levels decreased with increasing age, and body composition differed between the sexes. In relation to fear of falling, the cutoffs for ASM adjusted for body mass index (BMI) were < 0.85 for men and < 0.53 for women; the cutoffs for absolute handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength (adjusted for BMI) were 30.0 kgf and 21.7 kgf, and 1.07 and 0.66, for men and women, respectively. CONCLUSION: The values presented can be used as references in clinical practice and research. We recommend use of ASM adjusted for BMI and choosing between absolute and relative handgrip strength for men and women, according to study needs.