Cardiovascular and functional capacity changes in older women under socioeconomic vulnerability during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background To analyze changes in anthropometric, cardiovascular, functional, physical activity, and psychosocial parameters during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in older women. Methods This longitudinal study included participants from a community-based exercise program suspended during the pandemic. Fifty-six older women (mean age: 73 ± 5 years) experiencing socioeconomic vulnerability who had previously participated in the program were assessed before and after two years. Parameters included anthropometric (body mass, BMI, and waist circumference), cardiovascular (blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse wave velocity), functional (flexibility, muscle strength, agility/balance, and walking performance), physical activity (moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity and sitting time), and psychosocial aspects (WHOQOL-bref and WHOQOL-old). Data were analyzed using SPSS® (version 21.0). Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results Significant changes were observed in anthropometric (body mass: −1.3 kg; waist circumference: +2.6 cm), cardiovascular (systolic blood pressure: +6.9 mmHg; pulse wave velocity: +1.24 m/s), and functional parameters (6-min walking test: −74.2 m). Moderate-intensity physical activity increased (+77.8 min/week), whereas vigorous-intensity physical activity decreased (−37.8 min/week), with increases in weekend and total sitting time (+0.8 and + 0.6 h/day, respectively). The physical and psychological domains of the WHOQOL-bref and intimacy facet of the WHOQOL-old also increased significantly. Conclusion Older women experiencing socioeconomic vulnerability showed significant changes in anthropometric, cardiovascular, and functional parameters over the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring cardiovascular and functional health in this population during prolonged disruptions in activities.