Differences Between Body Composition and Physiological Characteristics of Active/Inactive Elderly Women

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Abstract
Aging affects living organisms and produces a continuous degenerative change in most physiological functions, specifically in body composition. The aim of the present study is to compare the differences of body composition and physiologic characteristics according to physical activity levels and population of different geographical locations between active elderly participants (AP) of a Pilates-Aerobic interventional program and inactive elderly participants (IP). A total of 341 elderly women over 60 years (IP=69.92 ± 7.07; AP=68.85 ± 5.38) participated in this study, all of them from the Málaga province (Spain). The physical activity influenced to resting heart rate of participants (IP=78.2 bpm, AP=75.6; p<.05). Waist circumference and fat mass in IP that live in towns of <2.000 of population was the lowest (p<.05). In addition, in AP, weight, waist circumference and fat mass was the lowest too in towns of <2.000 of population (p<.05). The interaction of physical activity and population factors influenced resting HR, Diastolic Blood Pressure and fat mass (p<.01; p<0.5 and p<.05, respectively). In conclusion, elderly people have different physiological and body composition characteristics by a level of physical activity and the population in which they live. Active female participants who live in small areas and a number of inhabitants is limited, show the best physiological state to cope with aging.

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