Physical fitness of elderly persons with systemic arterial hypertension users of academies of the third age of Maringá-pr

Abstract

This study investigated the physical fitness of elderly hypertensive users of the fitness zones  of the city of Maringá-PR. The subjects were 79 male and female elderly users of 13 fitness zones located in the city of Maringá-PR, with a diagnosis of Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH). A semistructured questionnaire was used to identify the sociodemographic and health profile. Resting blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured. The arm flexion and the chair lift and sit tests were used to assess muscle strength and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to identify the physical activity level. The results showed active / very active elderly, with controlled blood pressure, low sedentary behavior index and high limb strength, but with BMI representing overweight and low limb strength. Men presented higher body mass values ​​(p = 0.020); however, other factors related to physical fitness did not show a statistically significant difference between male and female elders. It was concluded that  male and female elderly with a diagnosis of SAH, users of fitness zones presented excellent levels of physical activity, associated with good health behaviors, low sedentary behavior and controlled blood pressure.