Percepção da influência da atividade física na vida de mulheres acima de 60 anos de idade. o quê o discurso revela / Perception of the influence of the physical activity in the life of women above 60 years old. What does the speech reveal

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a percepção da influência da atividade física na vida de mulheres acima de 60 anos, envolvidas em um programa de atividade física regular. Para tanto, utilizou-se a análise e a categorização do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo – DSC, que visa à organização do material verbal das representações existentes sob a forma de discursos-síntese. A amostra foi composta por 40 mulheres de 60 a 84 anos (68,98 ± 5,87), praticantes de ginástica e/ou hidroginástica, duas vezes por semana, 50 minutos por sessão, sendo este grupo parte do Projeto Longitudinal de Envelhecimento e Aptidão Física de São Caetano do Sul. Foram coletados dados sócio-demográficos e realizou-se uma entrevista individual composta por uma pergunta aberta e semi-estruturada. Utilizou-se para a análise o software QUALIQUANTISOFT-SPI® (2004). As representações extraídas do discurso foram percepções de benefício: no aspecto físico (diminuição de dores, melhora da disposição e aptidão física); no aumento da socialização (melhoria no relacionamento e amizades); no aspecto cognitivo (melhoria da memória e da aprendizagem); no aspecto afetivo (felicidade e prazer) e melhoria referente aos sintomas de algumas doenças (insônia e hipertensão arterial). O presente estudo revela que, na percepção da população estudada, a prática regular de atividade física favoreceu e/ou proporcionou a ocorrência de mudanças benéficas em suas vidas.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the perceptions of the influence of physical activity on life of women above 60 years old, involved in a physical activity program. Data analysis was based on the Collective Subject Speech, it aims to organize the verbal material of existent representations in a synthesis-speech. The sample consisted of 40 women, with voluntary participation, from 60 to 84 years old (68.98 ± 5.87). They were involved in gymnastics and/or hidrogymnastics program, twice a week, 50 minutes per session. This group is part of the Longitudinal Study of Aging and Physical Fitness of São Caetano do Sul. Socio-demographic data were collected and each subjected was submitted to an individual semi-structured interview, composed of one open question. The software QUALIQUANTISOFT-SPI® was used to analyze the data obtained. Results obtained from the women speeches revealed benefits perceptions of physical activity, such as: benefits in physical aspects (reduce of pain, better disposition and physical fitness); enhance of the socialization (improvement in the relationship and friendship); benefits in the cognitive aspects (memory and learning improvement); benefits in the affective aspects (enhanced feelings of well-being and pleasure) and reduction of the symptoms of some diseases like insomnia and hypertension. The present study reveals that, on the perception of the studied population, the regular physical activity supported and/or provided the occurrence of beneficial changes on their life.

The Agita São Paulo Program as a model for using physical activity to promote health

The "Agita Säo Paulo" Program applies a multilevel intervention approach to promoting physical activity among the 37 million inhabitants of the state of Säo Paulo, Brazil. The verb "agita" means to move the body, but the term also suggests changing the way of thinking and becoming a more active citizen. Since being launched in 1996, the Program has been widely copied throughout Brazil and in other countries of Latin America, and the World Health Organization has characterized it as a model for other developing countries. The Program aims to disseminate a clear and simple message to the community as well as establish partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental organizations and other entities. The Agita Säo Paulo message encourages people to adopt an active lifestyle by accumulating at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, on most days of the week. The Program has three main target groups: students, workers, and the elderly. The Program organizes "mega-events" that simultaneously reach and involve large numbers of people, and it also conducts ongoing activities with institutions that become partners of the Program. Intervention studies that the Program has carried out on specific, small groups have found both changes in behavior and an increasing awareness of the Program's name and message. In addition, surveys have found that a growing number of persons in the state of Säo Paulo have become aware of the Program and its message and have changed their physical activity level. A number of the special features of and lessons learned from the Agita Säo Paulo Program may have contributed to its success, including: a multisectorial approach; broad use of partnerships; the inclusion principle (avoiding messages or attitudes that might exclude any social group); the scientific basis for all the Program activities; the extensive free media coverage that the Program has received; a "two-hats" approach, using either governmental or nongovernmental methodologies to promote physical activity, depending on the circumstances; cultural adaptation (using local culture to disseminate the message and make its assimilation easier); encouraging activities that are pleasurable; the clear, simple, feasible message of promoting physical activity; and evaluation of the various Program efforts. These distinctive characteristics help make the Agita Säo Paulo Program...