Physical activity practice and functional capacity in elderly

This aging process causes reduction of muscle size and strength what promote muscle weakening and impact in the lower-limb occasioning functional consequences as maintenance of personal independence and compromised ability to realize daily tasks. The objective of the present study is to identify the physical activity practice and funcional capacity in elderly resident in the city of Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. This is a transversal, quantitative and descriptive study. It was selected 80 older from both gender with range of age of 60 to 90 years. To assessed the physical activity level, it was used the International Physical Acitivity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form and to evaluate the funcional capacity, the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. From the sample, 80% was female, 50% married, 50% of social class E and 90% didn´t work. When considered the physical activity level, 85% was considered active and about the functional capacity, 60% were dependent. All the independent subjects were active. There was a significant correlation between physical activity level and functional capacity. The data found shows that physical activity level assists the maintenance of functional capacity leading to independence and autonomy of the elderly.