Influência da atividade física no desempenho do potencial cognitivo P300 em pessoas idosas: um estudo transversal

Abstract

Introduction: During the aging process, the body goes through different changes such as muscle loss, decreased efficiency of the body's systems, among others. Therefore, practicing physical activity during the period of senescence is extremely important as it brings several vital benefits such as lower risk of diseases, improved cardiovascular capacity, among others. Objective: This study aimed to verify the relationship between physical activity and the P300 long latency evoked potential in elderly people. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative and observational study with a sample consisting of 28 participants. Two groups were organized according to the practice of physical activities, based on the answers obtained in the Modified Baecke Questionnaire for the Elderly (QBMI). The active and sedentary groups were compared according to age, education, latency and amplitude of the P300 wave. Results: The sample consisted predominantly of women who were married or in a stable union, highly educated, retired/housewives. The sedentary group showed greater latency of the P300 wave in the Pz channel, compared to the active group. The correlations between the level of physical activity and its components with the P300 latency and amplitude variables were studied, but no statistical significance was found. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a relationship between the latency of the P300 wave and the practice of physical activity, suggesting that more active elderly people have greater speed in processing information and responding to external stimuli.