MONITORING FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ACTIVE PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare Functional Capacity (FC) in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) who practice Physical Activity (PA). Considering a longitudinal study, 15 individuals with PD (52-81 years) participated. The Senior Fitness Test Manual was used: Stand and sit (SS); Sit and reach (SR); Reach behind the back (RB); and Sit, walk 2.44 meters and sit back (SWS). The results were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the difference between the tests by the Wilcoxon test (p<0.05). RB presented significant values ​​(p=0.042), revealing good flexibility of the upper limbs in the post-test [-7 (-2.3; -11) cm] when compared with the pre-test [-12.5 (0; -15) cm]. SR presented a tendency towards significance (p=0.051), however with similar values ​​between the pre-test [0 (0; -7) cm] and post-tests [0 (0; 0) cm]. SS presented good results in the post-test [11 (10; 12) rep.] when compared with the pre-test [10 (9.5; 12.5) rep.], however without significance (p=0.678). SWS revealed regression of the participants when compared between the pre-test [5.8 (4.6; 8.3) segs.] and post-test [6.1 (5; 7.8) segs.], however without significance (p=0.719). These findings reinforce the importance of specialized monitoring to optimize FC in people with PD.