Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care (Jan 2016)

Effects of a physical activity program on the quality of life among elderly people in Brazil

  • Eduardo da Fonte,
  • Pedro Henrique Feitosa,
  • Luiz Teixeira de Oliveira Neto,
  • Carla Leal de Araújo,
  • José Natal Figueiroa,
  • João Guilherme Alves

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.184639
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 139 – 142

Abstract

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Purpose: To assess the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people in the "Academia da Cidade program" (ACP), a public Brazilian Government Program encourages physical and leisure activity in Recife, Brazil. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 181 elderly people attending the "ACP" at least twice a week. Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data were presented according to World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL)-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD scores. Results: Univariate analysis showed that WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD scores were positively associated with longer duration of participation in "ACP," P < 0.030 and P < 0.003, respectively, a multivariate regression analysis showed that duration of participation in "ACP" remained associated with higher WHOQOL-BREF (P = 0.023) and WHOQOL-OLD (P = 0.038) scores. Conclusion: A longer duration of participation in a community-based physical activity program, "ACP," may contribute to a better QOL for the elderly in Brazil.

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