0063/2014 - Physical benefits and reduction of depressive symptoms in elderly: Results from the Portuguese “National Walking Program”
Benefícios físicos e redução de sintomas depressivos em idosos: Resultados do Programa Nacional de Caminhada Português
Autor:
• Jeronimo Costa Branco - BRANCO J.C. - Pelotas, RS - Católica de Pelotas - Saúde e Comportamento Rua Gonçalves Chaves, 377 - sala 411 prédio C Pelotas 96015-560 Brazil. - <jeronimobranco@hotmail.com>Coautor(es):
• Jorge Mota - Mota, J. - Universidade do Porto- Portugal - <jmota@fade.up.pt>ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7571-9181
• Joana Carvalho - Carvalho, Joana - Universidade do Porto- Portugal - <jeronimobranco@hotmail.com>
• Barbara Spenato - Spenato, Barbara - Universidade Católica de Pelotas Pelotas Brazil - <jeronimobranco@hotmail.com>
• Susana Carrapatosso - Carrapatosso, Susana - Universidade do Porto- Portugal - <jeronimobranco@hotmail.com>
• Karen Jansen - Jansen, K - Pelotas, RS - Universidade Católica de Pelotas Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil - <karenjansen315@hotmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3494-8070
• Jessica Teixeira - Teixeira, Jessica - Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora Juiz de Fora Brazil - <jeronimobranco@hotmail.com>
• Ricardo Azevedo da Silva. - da Silva, Ricardo Azevedo - Universidade Católica de Pelotas -Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Comportamento. Pelotas, RS - <jeronimobranco@hotmail.com>
Área Temática:
Saúde do IdosoResumo:
Abstract:The aim of our study was to investigate alterations in the elderly people after participation in “National Walking Program” (Portugal), on the level of physical fitness and anthropometric parameters as well as depression symptoms. The sample consisted of 26 older adults for a period of six months with a total of 72 exercise sessions. The exercise sessions consisted of aerobic (walking and running), strength and flexibility exercises. Participants were assessed pre and post intervention on physical fitness with Rikli & Jones test; anthropometric measurements with a bioimpedance scale and a stadiometer; and depression with Geriatric Depression Scale of Yesavage. Physical activity was assessed with an accelerometer pre-intervention only. Student t test for paired samples were performed on SPSS 21 software. We found statistically significant improvements from pre to post test in depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001), and in all physical fitness tests (p ≤ 0.05) but for the flexibility tests (p ≥ 0.05). Waist circumference reduction also showed the positive effects of the intervention (p = 0.031). We can conclude that participation on the “National Walking Program” for 6 months was effective in improving physical and psychological health in elderly.