Research Outputs
Percepciones y caracterĆsticas de la prĆ”ctica de actividad fĆsica durante la pandemia en adultos. Un estudio de caso en Chile
La pandemia del COVID-19 modificĆ³ los estilos de vida de la poblaciĆ³n mundial, debido a las medidas de confinamiento para reducir la actividad social masiva. Esto aumentĆ³ los niveles de inactividad fĆsica y sus riesgos para la salud. Por ello, el Ministerio de Salud de Chile estableciĆ³ una banda horaria exclusiva para la prĆ”ctica de actividad fĆsica. Los objetivos del estudio fueron conocer las percepciones de los usuarios y las caracterĆsticas de la actividad fĆsica realizada durante la banda horaria. Se empleĆ³ un enfoque interpretativo, de diseƱo cualitativo, mediante un estudio de caso, con una entrevista personal y presencial. El instrumento fue un guion semiestructurado, aplicado a once sujetos adultos de ambos sexos, con edades entre los 24 y 69 aƱos, que realizaban actividad fĆsica en un parque de la ciudad de ConcepciĆ³n, Chile, durante el aƱo 2021. Los resultados indican que las personas realizaban actividades fĆsicas por placer, para cuidar la salud y socializar, y reportaron sentirse con energĆa durante el dĆa. Manifestaron un alto nivel de satisfacciĆ³n con esta medida y una alta motivaciĆ³n hacia la prĆ”ctica de actividad fĆsica, pero sugirieron ampliar el horario de la maƱana e introducir una nueva banda en la tarde. Por otro lado, realizaron actividades fĆsicas preferiblemente grupales, de cuatro a siete veces por semana, y de una a dos horas de duraciĆ³n. En conclusiĆ³n, las percepciones hacia la banda horaria fueron positivas, y las caracterĆsticas de las prĆ”cticas fĆsicas contribuyeron significativamente a mejorar la salud y el bienestar durante el confinamiento.
Prevalencia de debilidad muscular en personas mayores chilenas: Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2016-2017
Background: Handgrip strength is an indicator of frailty in older people. Aim: To determine the prevalence of low handgrip strength in older Chilean adults. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 244 individuals aged 60 years or more, participating in the 2016-2017 Chilean National Health Survey, was carried out. Handgrip strength was evaluated by a hand dynamometer and low grip strength was determined as a grip strength ā¤ 15 kg and ā¤ 27 kg for women and men, respectively. Results: Twenty nine percent of participants had low grip strength. The average grip strength among 60-year-old men and women was 34.7 and 22.1 kg, respectively. These figures decreased to 28.8 kg and 17.2 kg among 90-year-old men and women, respectively. The prevalence of low grip strength in men and women aged 60 years was 18%. In 90-year-old men and women, these figures increased to 79% and 56.3%, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of low grip strength increased substantially with age.
Brisk walking pace is associated with better cardiometabolic health in adults: Findings from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016ā2017
Background: Although the importance of walking for promoting a better cardiometabolic health is widely known (this includes both cardiovascular and metabolic/endocrine systems), there is little knowledge regarding its appropriate pace to provide adults with more cardiometabolic benefits. Aim: To analyze the associations between different walking pace categories and cardiometabolic health markers in the adult Chilean population. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 5520 participants aged 15 to 90 years old from the Chilean National Health Survey (CNHS) 2016ā2017 were included. Walking pace categories (slow, average, and brisk) were collected through self-reported methods. Glycaemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), vitamin D2, vitamin D3, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid profile (Total, HDL, LDL, VLDL, No HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were determined using blood sample tests and measured with the standardized methods described in the CNHS 2016ā2017. Results: People who had a brisk walking pace were associated with lower levels of glycaemia, HbA1c, GGT, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and higher vitamin D3 levels compared with those with a slow walking pace. Moreover, people with a brisk walking pace had lower levels of VLDL cholesterol compared with those with a slow walking pace. However, after adjusting the model to include sociodemographic background, nutritional status, and lifestyle variables, the differences remained only for glycaemia, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure levels. Conclusions: A brisk walking pace was associated with better cardiometabolic health markers and lipid profile compared with a slow walking pace.