ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To describe and analyze the motivations to the exercise; to determine the associations between theses motivations, levels of physical activity and quality of life. Measure: 185 elders participated in a one-year study with 4 intervention programs: aerobic exercise program, strength training, health education and control group. The anthropometric measures, levels of physical activity and quality of life were evaluated in 3 times (Baseline, 1 year and 18 months of follow-up).
RESULTS:
The personal motivation for the exercise after the intervention is greater in the group of aerobic exercise (2.9 ± 0.5) and lower in the control group (2.3 ± 0.6); Within 18 months of follow-up only the control group increased levels of motivation. The motivation levels are better correlated with the physical component of quality of life.
CONCLUSION:
The reasons for physical exercise in institutionalized elders are mainly due to reasons of fitness and interpersonal reasons in 1-year follow-up and by reasons of health, psychological and fitness in 18-month follow-up.
Key words:
Health of Institutionalized Elderly; Elderly; Motivation; Physical Activity; Exercise; Quality of Life; Health Education; Body Mass Index.