Efeitos da equoterapia sobre as atividades eletromiográficas dos músculos do tronco e da mastigação em praticantes idosos

Abstract

Introduction: Among the physiological changes that occur with increasing age is the the decrease of muscle strength. Although the effects of riding therapy on the elderly are poorly studied, it has been highlighted as a possibility to undermine such changes, promoting physical and psychological gains in this population. Objectives: To evaluate, through electromyography, the activation of trunk musculature and mastication in elderly patients submitted to the use of Equine-Assisted Therapy, in order to elucidate its effects as a therapeutic resource. Methods: A total of 20 practitioners participated in the study, 15 of the female gender and five of the male, with mean age of 64.7±5.3 and 69± 8.6 years, height 153±0, 05 and 170±0.1 cm, weight 59.2±11.8 and 71±4.6 kg and Body Mass Index 25.4±4.6 and 25.7±2.3 Kg/m2, respectively. For the chewing analysis, 17 practitioners, of the same truck for analyses group, 13 females and four males, with a mean age of 66.5±7.3 and the number of natural teeth, 22.8±5.7. Ten sessions of equine therapy were performed once a week for 30 minutes. Electromyography for trunk analysis was performed in the first, fifth and tenth sessions, with electrodes positioned on the right and left on trapezius (upper fibers), thoracic paravertebral, multifidus and rectus abdominis. The collections were carried out in five moments, two with the horse stopped and three in movement. Electromyography for chewing analysis was performed before and after a single treatment, with electrodes placed in the masseter and temporal, on the right and the left. Results: The trunk musculature was activated during all moments of the care, especially at the 30th minute (p<0.0001). The most activated multifidus (p<0.0001), followed by the abdominal rectum (p<0.001) and thoracic paravertebral (p<0.05). Regarding the mastication muscles, the left masseter, before treatment, had significantly higher electromyographic activity (p<0.0001), followed by the right one (p<0.001). After the care, both the right and left masseter achieved closer electromyographic activities (p<0.001). In the dynamic activities of the mandible (chewing of peanuts, raisins, parafilm), a significant increase of masseter records after treatment was observed. Statistically significant were p<0,05. Conclusion: We conclude with this study that the Equine-Assisted Therapy can promote favorable alterations in the muscular activity of the elderly. Inferring in a higher quality of life, with more pleasurable therapeutic resources for this population.