Avaliação da saúde de idosos participantes de programas de atividade física

Abstract

Physical activity improves quality of life and attenuates the loss of functional capacity due to aging. To analyze the health profile of elderly participants of Physical Activity Programs. Twenty-four elderly (18 women), aged 67.7 ± 6.1 years, were enrolled in the physical health programs "Health in Motion" and "Health in Water". The WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire, the Flexibility Test with the Wells Bank, the Manual Grip Test and the 6-Minute Walk Test were applied. Pearson correlation was applied to verify the association between quality of life and physical abilities and assumed an alpha of 5%. All the elderly presented satisfactory levels of quality of life (regular / good) and flexibility. However, only half of the participants had adequate levels of manual grip strength and cardiopulmonary capacity. Quality of life was not correlated with physical fitness (p>0,05). Elderly practitioners of physical activity programs present adequate results for Quality of Life and Flexibility, however, these programs should focus on exercises that improve cardiorespiratory fitness and fitness.