Aging is associated with functional decline and increased risk of contracting diseases. Osteoporosis (OP), a systemic disease, causes deterioration in bone microarchitecture and an increased propensity for fractures. Functional decline in the elderly is linked to decreased physical fitness, balance changes, increased risk of falls and impaired quality of life. Multicomponent Training (MCT) associated with Whole Body Vibration (WBV) brings functional benefits to the health of the elderly, as it is able to improve balance, muscle strength, functional capacity and reduce the risk of falls.

To verify the effect of MCT associated with WBV on functional capacity and quality of life in osteoporotic elderly women.

Case study approved by CEP/CCS/UFPE, position nº: 3.608.668. During the intervention, the volunteer underwent 3 reassessments (after the 8th, 16th and 24th session). To measure the functional capacity, the distances covered in meters in the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were considered and the evaluation of the quality of life was made through the results expressed in the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. The interventions lasted for 8 consecutive weeks, three times a week, totaling 24 sessions. MCT lasted 45 minutes, consisting of 3 stations: cardiorespiratory/aerobic resistance; strength/endurance and flexibility; body balance/stability, respectively. The WBV was performed on a side-to-side oscillating vibrating platform, with progressive frequency incremental increase up to 30 Hz and oscillation amplitude of 2 mm peak to peak, duration of 60 seconds and rest of 10 to 30 seconds. Statistical analysis was carried out descriptively with data summarization before and after the 8 interventions, calculating the percentage differences between the predicted values, the frequencies of cut-off points achieved and the percentage increase in gain or loss, being represented numerically or graphically.

Through the distance covered in the 6MWT, a variation from 521m to 564m in the last reassessment was verified. As for quality of life, the score ranged from 61.46% to 85.42% in the last reassessment.

The study showed significant effects on the functional capacity and quality of life of the evaluated elderly women. However, it is still not possible to state that the proposed protocol promotes greater benefits to the observed population in general.

Faced with the scarcity of protocols that prescribe MCT training associated with a vibrating platform in osteoporotic elderly women with risk of falls, the importance of proceeding with the proposed method was perceived in order to identify alternatives to guarantee functional capacity and quality of life in this population.