Relação entre saúde, qualidade de vida e exercícios físicos: a percepção de senhoras da terceira idade na cidade de Antônio Prado – RS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify how elderly women who practice physical exercises realize the relationship between health, life quality and physical exercises, in Antônio Prado - RS. Besides that, as specific objectives, the motivational factors that led the participants to perform physical exercises were verified; the participants' perceptions regarding functional and bodily changes and the perceptions related to interpersonal relationships in the gym, family and other environments were analyzed. This study is a qualitative, descriptive and transversal research. A semi-structured interview that approached the topics health, life quality and physical exercises was used as an instrument for collected information with eight ladies from Antônio Prado - RS. The main results were: in relation to the motivation to search for the gym: medical indication, various bodily pains, invitation from friends and own initiative for knowledge about the benefits of physical exercises. Regarding the benefits found: more agility, flexibility, strength, more disposition, lightness and pain relief. Regarding interpersonal relationships, they reported feeling very good at the gym with the class, new friendships and good relationship with the teacher and local staff. They also highlighted the drama caused by the pandemic and the social distancing of colleagues, also harming the physical gains acquired over time. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]