Correlates of Physical Activity and Degree of Pain among Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: To determine the degree of pain presented by the people selected in the present study and to establish a possible relation between this first variable with other socio-demographic ones (age, gender, civil status and occupation), as well as whether or not they practice physical activity, and if so, what type of activity; To check the relationship between the practice and type of physical activity, with the socio-demographic factors; age, gender, civil status and occupation.Methology: 564 participants, with an average age of 61.05 years and an age range between 40 and 88 years from the Sabah, Malaysia, was made by a sampling technique intended to provide a natural composition with a criterion of inclusion, that is to say, people aged 40 or older. Various measuring instruments were chosen (pain scale and questionnaire) to collect the variables selected.Results: The results indicated that 80.9% of the participants presented with a moderate degree of pain, the cervical area and knees being the structures most affected. On the other hand, 73.2% of the sample population habitually carried out physical and sporting tasks, with no differences according to gender, but showing differences according to age and occupation. The most common activities were walking (88.64%) and keep fit (25.65%). There was no correlation between physical activity and the degree of pain. Conclusion:The main conclusions highlight the need to create exercise and health protocols and programmes with a multidisciplinary approach, adapted to the individual needs of each person and the promotion of the construction of new, modern sporting facilities in rural areas so that people may enjoy better sporting opportunities.