Physical Activity Level and Time of Participation in a Water Aerobics Project for the Elderly: Analysis of the Association with Quality of Life, Musculoskeletal and Osteoarticular Disorders, Chronic Pain, and Body Mass Index

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the association between the physical activity level (PAL) and time of participation in the practice of water aerobics with the variables successful aging (SA), quality of life (QOL), musculoskeletal and osteoarticular disorders (MOD), chronic pain (CP) and body mass index (BMI). The method has a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional design. The non-probabilistic sample, for convenience, comprised 101 elderly people over 60 years of age, of both genders, who regularly participate in water aerobics activities in the city of Dois Irmãos, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The following instruments were used: Multidimensional Pain Assessment Scale, EUROHIS-QOL, IPAQ, SOC and Body Mass Index. Descriptive analyses of frequency, comparison, correlation and multiple linear regression were used. The results showed that the irregularly active group has adequate perception of QOL and longer participation in water aerobics activities associated with lower intensity of pain perception. Likewise, better QOL and control attitudes are associated with lower prevalence of MOD.