Lifestyle, practice physical exercise and musculoskeletal pain in elderly physically active

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of lifestyle, physical activity and musculoskeletal pain in older active. 71 elderly was evaluated through a questionnaire with closed and semi-open questions and the questionnaire of Corlett and Bishop (1976) for identification of musculoskeletal complaints. The results indicate that besides of gymnastics activity, 71.25% of the elderly realized hidrogymnastic. 88.89% of the elderly looked for physical exercise to improve the quality of life. The weekly frequency of activities realization is once a week for 67.06% of the elderly and twice in the week to 32.94%. 68.24% of the elderly spend most of their time walking. The complaints have been identified mainly in the neck (64.71%), followed by the arms (58.82%) and lumbar region (47.06%). A fact the highlight is the use of medicines by 50% of elderly investigated to combat the symptoms of pain and discomfort musculoskeletal. Its necessary interventions with programs of health education and physical exercises aimed at improvement of the complaints showed by the elderly, acting as a preventive activity and improving the quality of life.