The influence of the practice of physical activity on the quality of life, muscle strength, balance, and physical ability in the elderly

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ageing has become a huge public health challenge due to the need to find solutions for improving quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess quality of life, muscle strength, balance and physical capacity among elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 74 elderly individuals in the city of Santos (state of São Paulo, Brazil), divided into two groups: practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for the classification of the participants. The generic SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. The Berg scale was used for the analysis of balance. Dynamometry was used for the muscle strength test. The six-minute walk test was used for the assessment of physical capacity. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity regarding quality of life (p = 0.001), muscle strength (p = 0.001), balance (p = 0.001) and physical capacity (p = 0.001). The data also showed that aspects of quality of life were strongly correlated with physical capacity among the non-practitioners of physical activity (r = 0.741). CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals in the city of Santos (Brazil) who practice physical activity have better quality of life, muscle strength, physical capacity and balance in comparison to those who do not practice physical activity.

A influência da atividade fí­sica na percepção da qualidade de vida em idosos

“…Idosos que foram submetidos a exercícios físicos regulares e programados apresentaram melhora da percepção da QV [18][19][20][21]23]. No entanto, não foi verificado se estes idosos eram ativos, sem necessariamente praticarem uma atividade física sistematizada e regular, antes da intervenção.…”

Posturographic analysis of schoolteachers with different levels of habitual physical activity

“…Studies have demonstrated (10)(11)(12) that more physically active people -whether older, middle-aged, or young adults -had better results in balance parameters than less active ones. In contrast, other authors (13) assessed a sample of 75 healthy individuals but did not find the same association.…”

Análise posturográfica em professores da rede estadual de ensino com diferentes níveis de atividade física habitual

“…Estudos demonstraram (10)(11)(12) que pessoas com níveis mais altos de atividade física apresentaram melhores resultados nos parâmetros do equilíbrio analisados, quando comparados com indivíduos com níveis mais baixos, tanto em idosos, quanto em adultos jovens ou de meia idade. No entanto, outros autores (13) , avaliando uma amostra de 75 indivíduos saudáveis, não encontraram essa mesma associação.…”