Effects of a physical activity program on the quality of life among elderly people in Brazil

PURPOSE: To assess the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people in the “Academia da Cidade program” (ACP), a public Brazilian Government Program encourages physical and leisure activity in Recife, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 181 elderly people attending the “ACP” at least twice a week. Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data were presented according to World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL)-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD scores. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD scores were positively associated with longer duration of participation in “ACP,” P < 0.030 and P < 0.003, respectively, a multivariate regression analysis showed that duration of participation in “ACP” remained associated with higher WHOQOL-BREF (P = 0.023) and WHOQOL-OLD (P = 0.038) scores. CONCLUSION: A longer duration of participation in a community-based physical activity program, “ACP,” may contribute to a better QOL for the elderly in Brazil.