ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTIONAL PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF HOSPITALIZED OLDER ADULTS

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Authors

  • Carolina Antonello Pinto Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul
  • Édina Steffens Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2279-372X
  • Eliane Roseli Winkelmann Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2686-8679
  • Evelise Moraes Berlezi Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56579/rei.v8i3.2780

Keywords:

Frail Older Adults, Hospitalization, Physical-Functional Performance

Abstract

Hospitalization of older adults can lead to negative outcomes, such as functional decline. Therefore, it is important to assess the physical and functional conditions of hospitalized older adults. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital within a medical cooperative, including older adults aged 65 years or older, both sexes, assessed prior to hospital discharge. The variables included sociodemographic data, health conditions, past clinical history, risk of sarcopenia (SARC-F), assessment of physical and functional capacity (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-meter walk speed test, handgrip strength), anthropometric assessment (body mass index and calf circumference), and fall risk assessment. Twenty-two older adults were evaluated, with a mean age of 79.9 ± 7.12 years; 50% were at risk for sarcopenia; 81.8% presented pre-frailty or frailty; older adults aged 80 years or older were the most frail. A large proportion (40.9%) of the elderly individuals took longer than expected to complete the TUG; 72.7% had reduced gait speed, and 59.1% of those over 80 had reduced handgrip strength. Therefore, hospitalized elderly individuals are at risk for sarcopenia, frailty, poor physical-functional performance, risk of falls, and reduced mobility.

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Author Biographies

Carolina Antonello Pinto, Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

Physiotherapist and Master in Comprehensive Health Care from the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program in Comprehensive Health Care at the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Unijuí). Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Ijuí.

Édina Steffens, Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

Physiotherapist; Master’s student in the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program – Associated Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Comprehensive Health Care (UNICRUZ/URI-Erechim/UNIJUÍ) – PPGAIS. Member of the Research Group on Epidemiological and Clinical Studies (GPEEC). Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Eliane Roseli Winkelmann, Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

Physiotherapist, PhD in Cardiovascular Sciences from the Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), and Postdoctoral researcher at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). Professor in the Health Center and in the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program in Comprehensive Health Care at the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Unijuí). Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Ijuí.

Evelise Moraes Berlezi, Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul

Physiotherapist, PhD in Biomedical Gerontology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), retired professor of the Health Center and of the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program in Comprehensive Health Care at the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Unijuí). Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Ijuí.

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Published

2026-05-25

How to Cite

Pinto, C. A., Steffens, Édina, Winkelmann, E. R., & Berlezi, E. M. (2026). ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTIONAL PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF HOSPITALIZED OLDER ADULTS. Interdisciplinary Studies Journal, 8(3), 01–17. https://doi.org/10.56579/rei.v8i3.2780

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2026): REVISTA DE ESTUDOS INTERDISCIPLINARES

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ARTICLES

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