Relationship between Muscle Strength and Body Composition in Active Community Elderly

Demographic data, not only from Brazil, suggests a significant increase in the elderly population for the next decades. Based on this fact, interest in the body composition and strength of this population arises. This study is a quantitative cross-sectional study, originated from a primary project called “Programa Interdisciplinar de Atenção à Saúde do Idoso”. Thus, data from the initial phase of this project were used for this descriptive correlational study in order to assess the relationship between muscle strength and body composition in elderly community members aged 60 years and over, participants in the “Programa Mexa-se” by Sports Department of Joinville/SC City Hall (PMJ). This research consisted of an evaluation form, containing personal identification, sociodemographic and clinical data, besides physical evaluation. The results of the analysis showed a significant correlation between the handgrip strength (HGS) and the total muscle mass index (r 0.637), strong correlation with total muscle mass (r 0.806) and a weak correlation (r 0.102) with the body mass index(BMI) and age (r -0.242). It is possible to conclude that HGS is related to the body composition, being an option for a better and more assertive assessment of the physical state and functional independence of the elderly. Finally, that is an accessible measure and could be used routinely in the physical evaluation of seniors.