Estudo comparativo da autonomia de ação de idosas residentes em áreas rurais e urbanas. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n1p11

Abstract

Functional autonomy plays an important role in the quality of life of older adults. However, the effects of the context of rural and urban living on autonomy in this population are little known. The present study compared the autonomy of older women living in urban areas of Greater Vitória, state of Espírito Santo (UG, n=30, age=65.5±0.72 years) versus that of older women living in the rural area of Alfredo Chaves, Espírito Santo (RG, n=31; age=65.1±0.74 years), using the Senior System for Evaluation of Autonomy of Action (SysSen). The SysSen consists of a questionnaire (QSAP) and a field test (TSMP). The QSAP provides an Index of Expressed Autonomy (IAE) and the TSMP, an Index of Potential Autonomy (IAP). The ratio of IAP to IAE defines the Index of Autonomy of Action (IAP/IAE=ISAC). An ISAC≥1.0 categorizes the subject as autonomous. The results revealed that: a) IAP was higher in the UG, but requirements in terms of IAE physical activities were greater; b) the Total Index (ITOT) for upper body strength was higher than the aerobic capacity (PA) in the RG; c) the four parts of the QSAP provided similar contributions toward the overall IAE. The conclusion was that both groups showed similar levels of deficit of autonomy according to ISAC, due to insufficient physical fitness in relation to IAE.

Quality of life based on level of physical activity among elderly residents of urban and rural areas

“…Activity in UA is more focused on the development of technology and information, where the elderly tend to group together in centers of coexistence and reduce their work and domestic activities. These factors, associated with other aspects such as socioeconomic and educational inequalities, can influence the practice of physical activity and QoL differently in rural and urban populations [10][11][12][13] .…”

Intervenção por realidade virtual e exercício físico no equilíbrio, mobilidade e cognição em idosos

“…Pesquisas epidemiológicas corroboram que a prática regular de EF proporciona benefícios aos aspectos psicológicos, como controle da ansiedade (38), do estresse, da depressão, da demência (39) e das funções cognitivas (40) Além disso, melhora a autoestima, a autoimagem (41), entre outros (42). No indivíduo idoso, esses acometimentos psicológicos são mais comuns devido a inúmeros fatores que são vivenciados nesta fase, porém saúde física e mental estão totalmente relacionadas ao desempenho funcional e ao envelhecimento saudável (43).…”