OBJECTIVE:
The study aimed to identify differences in the quality of life of elderly and adults engaged in physical activity.
METHODS:
One hundred seventeen subjects engaged in physical activity, aged between 40 and 80 years, were investigated. To characterize the sample, the variables age, sex, income and educational level were analyzed. For comparison between groups of adults and the elderly were analyzed variables weight, height, body mass index, domains and facets of quality of life (Whoqol-Bref). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to analyze normality, and the Mann-Whitney test compared continuous or sortable between two independent groups; the value adopted was p<0.05.
RESULTS:
Significant differences were found for the psychological domain, social relationships domain and overall, and the elderly had the highest mean values.
CONCLUSION:
Active elderly, compared to active adults, have better perception of quality of life aspects from active life, the performance of activities of daily living, the acceptance of physical appearance, financial satisfaction and time availability for leisure activities.
Quality of Life; Aging; Physical Activity; Elderly; Adult