Detalhes do Documento

Objectives: Be physically active is very important for the independence, self-determination, and quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. The aim of this study is to show the importance of a program to promote physical activity on quality of life in the elderly population. Methods: This is a prospective study. The study includes 17 people, aged between 66 and 83 years old, 75% female, 65% married, were all retired and all had functional independence. The data collection was performed on seniors universities. To access QOL we use the questionnaire The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), that includes eight functional dimensions. The program consists of an intervention to promote physical activity with groups of eight people, in once a week sessions of 90 minutes. The program was held for seven weeks. In each session were performed a set exercise for a specific thematic related with functional limitations in daily life, then counseling for de facilitation of movement. We analyze the results with dimensions of SF-36, for the differences at the beginning and the end of the program. Results: research show statistically significant differences for all dimensions of QOL, between the beginning and the end of the program. We use non-parametric test, for related- samples Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Conclusions: There are statistically significant differences between the two moments of assessment, suggesting that physical intervention programs for the promotion of physical activity can play an important role for the QOL of the elderly population.