Effects of a physical activity governmental health programme on the quality of life of elderly people

Background: The population ageing occurring worldwide resulted in multiple researches on sedentary ageing and quality of life. Purpose: To verify the effects of a physical activity programme on the quality of life (QOL) of elderly individuals served by a governmental health programme. Design: Descriptive inquiry research. Methods: Randomly distributing 70 elderly individuals in a control group (n=35; mean +/- SD 69.80 +/- 8.05 years) and an experimental group (n=35; 68.66 +/- 5.93 years) plus QOL evaluation via WHOQOL-Old. Results: The experimental group showed significant best results on the post-test by repeated-measures ANOVA on sensorial functioning (Delta%=0.022%, p=0.0001), social participation (Delta%=0.012%, p=0.013), perceptions of death and dying (Delta%=0.04%, p=0.009), intimacy (Delta%=0.059%, p=0.05), and total score (Delta%=0.001, p=0.000). Conclusions: Sensorial functioning, social participation, perceptions of death and dying, and intimacy play an important role in the positive relationship between physical activity and QOL.