Effect of pulmonary function on cardiorespiratory condition, mobility, and balance in people aged over 50 years: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of static pulmonary function variables on cardiorespiratory condition, mobility, and balance in people aged over 50 years, as well as the effect of mobility and balance on three stress tests in the same sample. This is a cross-sectional study. Pulmonary function evaluation was performed by spirometry, the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT), the six minute walk test (6MWT), the stairs test (ST), the timed up and go test (TUGT), and the Berg balance scale (BBS). SigmaStat® was used for statistical analysis, and the variables were correlated using Pearson’s correlation test (p<0.05). The sample consisted of 46 people [37 women (80.5%) and nine men (19.5%)] with a mean age of 61.02±8.29 years. Results of the correlation of pulmonary function with stress, mobility, and balance and stress tests were correlated with spirometric variables. In the sample, people with lower time in TUGT and better balance conditions who had better lung function. The better the mobility, the better the results in the stress tests. TUGT results showed moderate correlation with ISWT (0.41) and actual 6MWT (−0.43). On the other hand, BBS scores showed moderate correlation with ISWT(%) ((−-0.45), real 6MWT (0.43), and actual (−0.59) and predicted ST (-0.45). We conclude that pulmonary function affects cardiorespiratory condition, mobility, and balance in people aged over 50 years.