Níveis de depressão em indivíduos da terceira idade praticantes de atividade física na cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the levels of depression in individuals of the third age who practice physical activity in Caxias do Sul and, specifically, to compare the levels of depression in these individuals every five years from 60 years of age; verify the results between men and women and, compare the general indexes found among other studies related to depression in this age group. It has a quantitative, epidemiological and transversal character. The survey was made up of 336 elderly people aged 60 years or over, who practice physical activity provided by the city's Municipal Department of Sport and Leisure (SMEL). As a research instrument, the Yeasavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used, sent via Whatsapp to the participants through the coordinators of each project and the comparison of age scores through analysis of variance (ANOVA). It was concluded that the individuals who are part of groups involving physical activities in the city, have relatively low levels when dealing with symptoms related to depression, which compared to other studies in us, leads to believe that the constant practice of the activity causes improvement, decrease and prevention of depression. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]