Factors associated with stiffness of the shoulder and hips joints in the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: maintaining the appropriate level of flexibility in adulthood is important to carry out the basic activities of daily life; however, this can be negatively affected by different factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, osteoarthritis, diabetes and emotional state.
Objective: to analyze the prevalence of stiffness in the shoulder and coxofemoral joints, with associated factors in older adults in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador.
Methodology: cross-sectional analytical study with a sample of 160 older adults from nursing homes in the city of Cuenca. The information was collected by applying two tests that assess flexibility, included in the senior fitness test (SFT) battery: the back scratch (TBS) and the chair sit and reach test (TCSAR), to assess the degree of stiffness of the knee joint. shoulder and coxofemoral. The level of physical activity was evaluated using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) test, the Yesavege test was used to assess the degree of depression and the clinical history of each patient to determine a history of diabetes mellitus or osteoarthritis. The data were analyzed with the SPSS version 20.0 program, through measures of frequency, dispersion, and bivariate analysis (OR, CI, P value).
Results: physical inactivity was evidenced as an important risk factor for shoulder joint stiffness p=0.023, coxofemoral joint p=<0.001; in addition, osteoarthritis as a risk factor for stiffness in the upper limbs. The prevalence of joint stiffness was 40.6% in the lower limbs and 70.6% in the upper limbs.
Conclusion: the findings of this research corroborate that physical inactivity can lead to progressive loss of flexibility in older adults, with decreased range of joint movement and functional limitation.