Percepção de qualidade de vida em idosos praticantes de atividade física de diferentes programas de extensão universitária

Abstract

Physical activity is widely recognized as an important factor for maintaining well-being throughout all stages of life, and it becomes even more significant in old age. With the ongoing aging of the population, it is essential to understand how older adults perceive exercise and how this perception may influence their quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the perception of quality of life among elderly individuals participating in physical activity programs offered through university extension initiatives. This is a qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 18 older adults (64.66 ± 5.77 years old), including 16 women and 2 men, all of whom were engaged in physical activity programs promoted by the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). Data were collected using the Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire and the Brazilian version of the Motives for Physical Activity Measure. Responses were entered into a structured spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel with double data entry. The findings of this study showed that most participants reported quality of life scores that were classified as regular or good across most domains. Regarding motivational aspects, health was identified as the main factor driving participation in physical activity, highlighting the importance of regular exercise as a strategy for promoting well-being and preventing illness among the elderly.