Level of physical activity and main barriers perceived by older people living in Rio Claro

Abstract

Physical activity benefits elders’ dimensions of living. Thus, knowing the physical activity level (LPA) and main barriers to the practice is relevant for planning and developing actions designed to an active lifestyle in older people. Aiming to analyze the LPA and the main perceived barriers to the practice of physical activity in older people, 129 participants answered the questionnaires Baecke Modified for the Elderly (BQME) and the Barriers one. The mean in LPA (BQME) was 1.9 points and the most perceived barriers were: “Disease” (52%); “Need resting” (47%); “Lack of persistence” (46%); “Active enough” (41%). It was also found that more active elderly perceived fewer barriers than less active ones. In conclusion: a) older people present low LPA; b) older people’s perception of being active enough seems to be quite different than the recommended LPA; d) gender and LPA seem to modulate the perception of barriers.