Avaliação do teste de elevação do calcanhar e composição corporal em mulheres idosas com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica

Abstract

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a chronic atherosclerotic pathology caused by occlusion of peripheral arterial circulation. The standing Heel Rise Test (HRT) has been recommended as a relevant clinical instrument to evaluate endurance and muscular performance in the lower limbs; however, its capacity to predict disability resulted from PAD and its relation to body composition has not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate muscular endurance of the lower limbs using the Heel Rise Test, and to compare body composition through ankle-brachial index in elderly women with and without PAD. Sixty women were evaluated, where 39 presented normal ankle-brachial index and 21 with PAD. The body composition was mensured by segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance. There were no significant differences in body composition between groups apart tendency to lower muscular mass in lower limbs on the group of ankle-brachial index with PAD. The number of repetitions on HRT showed correlation with body composition regarding body fat percentages (Fat mass r= -0,461, p<0,001; Percentage body fat r= -0,45, p<0,001; Percentage trunk mass r= -0,584, p<0,0001; Fat trunk mass r= -0,45, p<0,001) and muscular mass in lower limbs normalized by the weight; nevertheless, there was no correlation with ankle-brachial index, that was only associated with the velocity performed on the test (r= -0,3001, p=0,019). While HRT has correlation with body composition, particularly with lower limb muscular mass, and presents effectiveness in evaluating muscular endurance in lower limbs, standardization of the test parameters is necessary in order to have sensitivity in the diagnosis and determinations of PAD progression in women.