Physical activity in people over 65 years and health promotion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the representation of physical activity among people over 65 years of age in the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, in order to design health promotion strategies within the framework of active ageing, aiming to improve quality of life and well-being. This is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study with descriptive data analysis. The sample was collected between December 2014 and March 2015, through the application of 1,322 questionnaires to older adults and/or caregivers at home. The results show that most older adults are inactive, slightly active or moderately active, that the vast majority do not consider physical exercise as a means of relieving tension, and that they have not incorporated the need to take advantage of daily situations to practice physical activity, thus not framing these practices within an active ageing process.