Natalia Maira da Cruz Alves

Physiotherapist graduated from Universidade Paulista (UNIP). Master and Doctor by the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-FMRP/USP. Currently post-doctoral student at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo (FMRP/USP). Researcher with emphasis on the health of the elderly, addressing the main topics: Sarcopenia, functionality, Infiltration of Fat Infiltration, Frailty Syndrome, Body Composition.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Older People, Sarcopenia, Fragility Syndrome, Intramuscular fat infiltration

Scopus Publications

Body fat, cardiovascular risk factors and polymorphism in the FTO gene: randomized clinical trial and different physical exercise for adolescents
Wendell C. Bila, Márcia C.C. Romano, Luciana L. dos Santos, Valmin R. da Silva, Flávio D. Capanema, Karina Pfrimer, Eduardo Ferriolli, Natália M.C. Alves, Cezenário G. Campos, Fabiângelo M. Carlos,et al.
Elsevier BV



The effects of a multi-component intervention on the functional capacity, lower-body muscle strength, balance and gait in frail community-dwelling older people: a randomised controlled trial protocol
Natalia C. R. Iosimuta, Fernanda P. A. S Pessanha, Natalia Alves, Larissa T. Marques, Jaqueline M. Porto, Renato C. Freire, Eduardo Ferriolli, and Daniela C. C. de Abreu
European Journal of Physiotherapy Informa UK Limited



Cut-off points of appendicular lean soft tissue for identifying sarcopenia in the older adults in brazil: A cross-sectional study
P. P. Abdalla, A. Silva, A. C. R. Venturini, A. P. Santos, A. S. Carvalho, V. Siqueira, E. Gomide, N. Alves, E. Ferriolli and D. Machado

INTRODUCTION appropriate appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST) parameters to identify sarcopenia in Brazil are scarce. The use of international references may lead to a false positive diagnosis. The objective was to propose cut-off points to identify sarcopenia in older men and women using DXA-derived ALST values from a young adult population. METHODS this was an observational study with a cross-sectional analysis. University students of both sexes (n = 125), aged 20 to 30 years, underwent anthropometric measurements and DXA scanning to obtain their ALST (kg). Cut-off points for sarcopenia were set at -2 standard deviations (-2SDs) away from the mean ALST of a young sample. Absolute values and indices (ALST/height2, ALST/weight, and ALST/body mass index [BMI]) were considered as recommended by international consensus. RESULTS compared to women, men presented higher values of weight, height, BMI, bone mineral content, lean soft tissue, ALST, and ALST index (kg/m²). Only fat mass was higher in women, and age was not different between genders. The -2SD ALST indices obtained were ≤ 6.56 kg/m² for men and ≤ 4.67 kg/m² for women. They were below international and national values, which tended to classify false positives. CONCLUSIONS the -2SD ALST values proposed here are validated cut-offs for identifying low muscle in older adults and to prevent misdiagnosis with sarcopenia. In addition, they contribute to efficient monitoring and control of this disease in geriatric populations.


Body Mass Index and Its Relationship with Disability, Chronic Diseases and Frailty in Older People: A Comparison of the Lipschitz and Who Classifications
F. P. Pessanha, L. P. Lustosa, J. Carneiro, K. Pfrimer, P. Fassini, N. Alves, T. L. Pontes, J. Moriguti, N. Lima and E. Ferriolli

BACKGROUND Anthropometric parameters are closely associated with the pathophysiology of frailty and with clinic and functional parameters assessed for its diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the possible association of the nutritional status of older people as assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI) and functional disability, self-reported chronic diseases and frailty, comparing the use of two different classifications of BMI. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING The sample was selected among community-dwelling older people from the city of Ribeirão Preto/ Brazil. PARTICIPANTS 326 independent older people (mean age 73.8±6.4 years) who participated in the FIBRA (Frailty in Brazilian Older People) study. MEASUREMENTS Weight and height were collected for BMI analysis and frailty criteria were applied according to Fried et al. Participants were also evaluated for self-reported activities of daily living (Katz Index and Lawton and Brody Scale), and the presence of chronic diseases. RESULTS The prevalence of frailty was 12.3%. Regardless of the classification of BMI applied, most of the sample was classified as overweight (50.9% and 39.3% in the Lipschitz and WHO classifications, respectively). For both classifications, low weight was the only BMI classification associated with frailty status (OR Lipschitz: 4.12(1.53-11.14); OR WHO: 6.21 (1.26-30.58). Comorbidities and dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) were associated with BMI ≥ 30kg.m2. CONCLUSION Regardless of the classification adopted, low weight is associated with frailty. However, when the WHO stratification is employed, high BMI is also associated to increased functional disability and the presence of comorbidities, coexisting factors of frailty.


Body composition, muscle strength and quality of active elderly women according to the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test
Karla H. C. Vilaca, Natalia M. C. Alves, Jose A. O. Carneiro, Eduardo Ferriolli, Nereida K. C. Lima, and Julio C. Moriguti
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
BACKGROUND Changes arising from the aging process, particularly changes in body composition, contribute to the functional decline of the elderly. OBJECTIVE To compare the body composition and muscle strength, mobility and quality in active elderly women according to the distance walked during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). METHOD The study included 77 active elderly women aged 65 to 80 years, who were divided into tertiles (A, B and C) according to the distance covered in the 6MWT. We performed anthropometric and clinical evaluations. Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured with a portable dynamometer (Saehan), and knee extension strength (KES) was measured with the one repetition maximum test (1-RM). Functional mobility was assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and body balance was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Muscle quality was defined by the ratio between muscle strength (kgf) and muscle mass (kg). RESULTS The group that walked the shortest distance in the 6MWT had a higher BMI (A=30.8±7.0, B=27.2±4.2 and C=25.9±3.5 kg/m2), greater amount of fat mass (A=31.3±10.7, B=25.9±6.7 and C=23.81±6.46 kg) lower HGS (A=21.8±5.1, B=22.1±3.5 and C=25.5±5.1 kgf), lower knee extension strength (A=30.6±10.9, B=40.4±12.5 and C=47.2±10.1 kgf), lower arm muscle quality (A=10.1±3.7, B=11.6±2 and C=12.7±2.2 kg) and lower leg muscle quality (A=1.78±1, B=2.84±0.98 and C=3.31±0.77 kg). There was no significant difference between muscle mass (p=0.25) and lean mass (p=0.26). CONCLUSION Body fat has a negative influence on functional performance, even among active elderly women.