Abstract

Author(s): Guerra Bugueño, Emilio1; Valdés Badilla, Pablo2,3

Introduction: The aging process affects men and women differently, since there are biological, genetic and physiological factors that differentiate them.

Objective: To determine differences in memory, phonetic fluency, temporo-spatial orientation, perception of quality of life and physical fitness between men and women attending the first referential day center of the older adults of Chile.

Methods: Non-experimental, descriptive-comparative study with quantitative approach and cross-sectional cut that evaluated 30 older adults (n = 15 men: age 76.5 years, body weight 72.6 kg, bipedal height 1.63 m and BMI 27.0 kg/m2; and n = 15 women: age 76.2 years, body weight 72.1 kg, bipedal height 1.52 m and BMI 31.1 kg/m2). The dependent variables were obtained through the survey of memory, phonetic fluency and temporo-spatial orientation (MEFO); the health-related perception of quality of life SF-36v.2; the Senior Fitness Test (physical fitness) and grip strength. Comparisons were made through the Student t-test and Mann Whitney U test considering a p <0.05.

Results: Statistically significant differences (p = 0.018) can be seen between men and women only in the total MEFO score, with women having the greatest cognitive impairment. No significant differences were reported in the rest of the variables studied.

Conclusions: Women who attend the first referential day center of the older adults of Chile have greater cognitive impairment compared to men. While the perception of quality of life and physical fitness of men and women is lower than that indicated for their age and sex.