PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS IN A RIO DE JANEIRO POPULATION SAMPLE

Abstract

Physical activity related studies show that an active lifestyle is an important factor to diminish the mortality and morbidity population rates, both in youth and elderly (USDHHS, 1996). The purpose of this study was to establish the physical activity patterns in different age groups in a Rio de Janeiro population sample. For this study, the sample, characterized as of convenience and with age between 18 and 67 years, consisted of one thousand four hundred and forty nine volunteers (944 females and 505 males). Participants answered three questions selected from a questionnaire developed by the Center for Disease Control (National Health Interview Survey Questionnaire — Adult Core, 1997), which were related to the frequency and kind of physical activity done by the respondent (light or vigorous aerobic and/or resistance training). Activities were divided into five categories and age into five groups. Results are presented in the table below. According to previous study [Santos et al., 1999, MSSE, 31(5) Suppl. p. 164], both gender showed high levels of physical inactivity in all age groups with higher levels in female population. For both gender and in all age groups light aerobic activities were predominant related to vigorous and/or resistance training. Lower levels of physical inactivity in older groups for both gender could be explained by the reduced number of volunteers and the investigated sample profile. Further physical activity pattern studies are suggested on different samples of the Rio de Janeiro population, with random selection of volunteers.Table