Physical activity level, space-time parameters and diabetics' fall risk
Resumen
This study's objectives were to verify the associations of active and sedentary behavior with gait parameters indicative of Fall Risk, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with and without diabetic neuropathy (DN). The sample consisted of 45 volunteers of both sexes, aged between 40 and 72 years, distributed equally among the following groups: DM with DN (DM+ND), DM without DN (DM), and non-diabetic control (C). An accelerometer measured the physical activity (PA) level and sedentary behavior (SB) for eight consecutive days. Body composition was measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Fall Risk was measured using gait parameters, as well as by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). There was a longer time in daily minutes in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) by group C (45.06) when compared to the DM+ND (26.14) and DM (28.5) groups. The daily minutes in Light PA (LPA) and SB were, respectively: 343.90 and 431.90 for the DM+ND group, 320.59 and 498.08 for the DM group, and 405.20 and 473.45 for group C, with no difference between the groups. Regarding gait speed, group C presented a significantly higher value in comparison to the DM+ND and DM groups, with no difference between them. Gait cadence and stride length also presented higher values for group C in comparison to the DM+ND and DM groups. Group C presented a shorter double support time than the DM+ND and DM groups. The BBS scores were worse for the DM+ND and DM groups when compared to group C. It was possible to verify the associations of the presence of DM, regardless of DN, together with the low level of PA, to losses in the space-time parameters of gait and increased Fall Risk.