ABSTRACT:

Objective:

This study investigates associated factors to participation in four domains of physical activity and social activities among 2344 community-dwelling older adults (72.3 ± 5.5 years; 65.6% female) without cognitive impairment, residents in six Brazilian cities.

Method:

An adapted version of Minnesota Leisure Time Activity Questionnaire was used to measure physical activity in four different domains. An inventory of social activities was developed for research. Age, gender and family income were assessed by self-report. Comparisons of frequencies and logistic regression analyzes were performed.

Results:

All sociodemographic variables were affecting the activity engagement profile of the sample. Have higher family income showed association with high level of leisure time, occupational and transportation physical activity, result supported by the literature. The gender associated with high level of activity varied according to the specific domain of the analyzed activity indicator. Have less age proved to be associated with higher level of activity in all indicators associated with age, highlighting the increasing age as the major barrier to performance physical and social activities in old age.

Conclusions:

Allow the active involvement of older people is the great challenge of public policies that promote active aging.

Keywords:
Motor activity; Social participation; Activities of daily living; Aging

INTRODUCTION

Although there is no widely accepted concept for the term activity, it has a strong presence in research and clinical intervention in gerontology¹1. Bowling A, Dieppe P. Thoughts for today What is successful ageing and who should define it ? BMJ 2005; 331(7531): 1548-51. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1548
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.331.7531.154... ^,22. Havighurst R. Successful Aging. Gerontologist 1961; 1(1): 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/1.1.8
https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/1.1.8... ^,33. Katz S. Busy Bodies: Activity, aging, and the management of everyday life. J Aging Stud 2000; 14(2): 135-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(00)80008-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(00)80... . It refers to the whole set of actions that a person performs throughout the day, ranging from the simplest activities, arising from the physiological needs, to the more complex, which involve functionality in the physical and social environment, productivity, pleasure in relation to life and personal relationships⁴4. Neri AL. Palavras-Chave em Gerontologia. 2ª ed. Campinas: Alínea; 2005.. Effort from different fields of research on this theme has resulted in different models, concepts and measures. The term advanced activities of daily living (AADL) encompasses a profile of activities characterized by the requirement of the highest level of functionality, since, in order to achieve them, preserved physical, cognitive and psychological abilities are necessary. Competent performance in these activities is a strong indicator of greater functional capacity and better physical and mental health,⁵5. Dias EG, Andrade FB de, Duarte YA de O, Santos JLFS, Lebrão ML. Atividades avançadas de vida diária e incidência de declínio cognitivo em idosos: Estudo SABE. Cad Saúde Pública 2015; 31(8): 1623-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00125014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00125... ^,66. Reuben D, Laliberte L, Hiris J, Mor V. A Hierarchical Exercise Scale to Measure Function at the Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADL) Level. J Am Geriatr Soc 1990; 38(8): 855-61. while public policies which promote healthy aging⁷7. Organização Mundial da Saúde. Envelhecimento ativo: uma política de saúde. Brasília: Organização Mundial da Saúde; 2005.^,88. World Health Organization. Active Ageing [Internet]. Organização Mundial da Saúde; 2002 [acessado em 10 abr. 2016]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_NMH_NPH_02.8.pdf
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_NMH... emphasize participation, understood as the involvement in activities that characterize the engagement that the individual has in their social setting,⁹9. Bath P, Deeg D. Social engagement and health outcomes among older people: introduction to a special section. Eur J Ageing 2005; 2(1): 24-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-0019-4
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-001... and physical activity (PA), understood as any voluntary activity, produced by the skeletal muscles that results in caloric expenditure above the resting level¹⁰10. Chodzko-Zajko WJ, Proctor DN, Fiatarone Singh M, Minson CT, Nigg CR, Salem GJ, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41(7): 1510-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181a0c95c
http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181... , which can be performed in different domains, such as work activities, domestic tasks, commuting and recreation¹¹11. Strath SJ, Kaminsky L, Ainsworth BE, Ekelund U, Freedson PS, Gary RA, et al. Guide to the assessment of physical activity: Clinical and research applications: A scientific statement from the American Heart association. Circulation 2013; 128(20): 2259-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435708.67487.da
http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435... . Both social and physical activity profiles require high functioning performance levels and have a well-known association with health and quality of life in old age. Engagement in social activities (SA) is considered a protective element in relation to disability⁵5. Dias EG, Andrade FB de, Duarte YA de O, Santos JLFS, Lebrão ML. Atividades avançadas de vida diária e incidência de declínio cognitivo em idosos: Estudo SABE. Cad Saúde Pública 2015; 31(8): 1623-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00125014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00125... . The literature also associates this indicator with better physical health and longer life expectancy⁹9. Bath P, Deeg D. Social engagement and health outcomes among older people: introduction to a special section. Eur J Ageing 2005; 2(1): 24-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-0019-4
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-001... . PA is highlighted as a protective element of disability¹²12. Miller ME, Rejeski WJ, Reboussin BA, Ten Have TR, Ettinger W. Physical Activity, Functional Limitations, and Disability in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2000; 48(10): 1264-72. and is highlighted as one of the most important behavioural variables for maintaining health and quality of life in old age⁷7. Organização Mundial da Saúde. Envelhecimento ativo: uma política de saúde. Brasília: Organização Mundial da Saúde; 2005.^,1313. World Health Organization. Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Genebra: World Health Organization; 2010, p. 60.. Knowing the variables that affect the profile of PA engagement in different domains and in activities of a social nature in elderly residents in the community is of great relevance to gerontology research.

Few national studies have investigated the physical activity level (PAL) in the elderly in four different domains¹⁴14. Ramires VV, Becker LA, Sadovsky ADI, Zago AM, Bielemann RM, Guerra PH. Evolução da pesquisa epidemiológica em atividade física e comportamento sedentário no Brasil: atualização de uma revisão sistemática. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2014; 19(5): 529-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.19n5p529
http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.19n5p... and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies in which these indicators were analysed together with social engagement indicators. Gender, income and age influence development over the course of life because they determine different possibilities of access to resources and social opportunities, such as health, education and work resources, which affect the activity levels of the elderly in different ways.

In general, the literature shows that men tend to engage in activities outside their residence¹⁵15. Morsch P, Pereira GNP, Navarro JH do N, Trevisan MD, Lopes DGCL, Bós ÂJG. Características clínicas e sociais determinantes para o idoso sair de casa. Cad Saúde Pública 2015; 31(5): 1025-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01021-311X00053014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01021-311X0005... , however, it is women who report greater social involvement¹⁶16. Ponce MSH, Rosas RPE, Lorca MBF. Social capital, social participation and life satisfaction among Chilean older adults. Rev Saúde Pública 2014; 48(5): 739-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048004759
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.201... ^,1717. Pinto JM, Neri AL. Factors associated with low life life satisfaction in community-dwelling elderly: FIBRA Study. Cad Saúde Pública. 2013; 29(12): 2447-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173212
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173... . Being a woman is associated with overall physical inactivity, however they are the ones who report higher PAL in the domestic activities domain¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,1919. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2020. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... On the other hand, men are more active in the areas of leisure time, work and commuting¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,1919. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2020. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... .

Socioeconomic status tends to be an aggravating factor for physical inactivity²¹21. Knuth AG, Bacchieri G, Victora CG, Hallal PC. Changes in physical activity among Brazilian adults over a 5-year period. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 64(7): 591-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.088526
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.0885... , especially in leisure time¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... ^,2323. Zaitune MP do A, Barros MB de A, César CLG, Carandina L, Goldbaum M, Alves MCGP. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física global e de lazer em idosos : Inquérito de Saúde no Estado de São Paulo (ISA-SP). Cad Saúde Pública 2010; 26(8): 1606-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2010000800014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2010... ^, but it is still not clear how this variable is associated with social engagement¹⁶16. Ponce MSH, Rosas RPE, Lorca MBF. Social capital, social participation and life satisfaction among Chilean older adults. Rev Saúde Pública 2014; 48(5): 739-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048004759
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.201... ^,2424. Pinto JM, Neri AL. Doenças crônicas, capacidade funcional , envolvimento social e satisfação em idosos comunitários: Estudo Fibra. Ciên Saúde Colet 2013; 18(12): 3449-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232013001200002
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232013... . The functional limitations due to ageing cause this variable to negatively influence the level of commitment to PA in all domains¹⁹19. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2020. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... ^,2121. Knuth AG, Bacchieri G, Victora CG, Hallal PC. Changes in physical activity among Brazilian adults over a 5-year period. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 64(7): 591-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.088526
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.0885... ^,2525. Hallal PC, Victora CG, Wells JC, Lima R. Physical activity: prevalence and associated variables in Brazilians adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2003; 35(11): 1894-900. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000093615.33774.0E
https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.000009361... as well as SA engagement¹⁵15. Morsch P, Pereira GNP, Navarro JH do N, Trevisan MD, Lopes DGCL, Bós ÂJG. Características clínicas e sociais determinantes para o idoso sair de casa. Cad Saúde Pública 2015; 31(5): 1025-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01021-311X00053014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01021-311X0005... ^,1616. Ponce MSH, Rosas RPE, Lorca MBF. Social capital, social participation and life satisfaction among Chilean older adults. Rev Saúde Pública 2014; 48(5): 739-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048004759
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.201... ^,1717. Pinto JM, Neri AL. Factors associated with low life life satisfaction in community-dwelling elderly: FIBRA Study. Cad Saúde Pública. 2013; 29(12): 2447-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173212
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173... .

This study aimed to investigate associations between the levels of PA in four different domains, the SA level and the independent variables of gender, family income and age.

METHOD

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp).All participants signed the Informed Consent Form, in a format approved by this committee. The research was performed based on the data contained in the electronic bank of the FIBRA Study. This is a multicentric study developed by partner universities led by Unicamp, the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), the Ribeirão Preto campus, the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) and the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)²⁶26. Neri AL, Yassuda MS, Araújo LF de, Eulálio MC, Cabral BE, Siqueira MEC, et al. Metodologia e perfil sociodemográfico, cognitivo e de fragilidade de idosos comunitários de sete cidades brasileiras: Estudo FIBRA. Cad Saúde Pública 2013; 29(4): 778-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2013000400015
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2013... .

SAMPLING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 2,344 elderly individuals with no cognitive impairment suggestive of dementia were selected from a sample of 3,075 elderly people obtained from six Brazilian cities. Cluster sampling was used.

In the first stage, census sectors from the urban area of the participating municipalities were drawn at random. The minimum number to compose the sample of cities with more than one million inhabitants, such as Campinas and Belém, was 601 elderly, considering a sample error of 4%. For other cities with less than one million inhabitants, the number of 384 elderly participants was estimated, with a sampling error of 5%. In each selected area, quotas of men and women of 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 years and over were estimated, based on the distribution of these segments²⁶26. Neri AL, Yassuda MS, Araújo LF de, Eulálio MC, Cabral BE, Siqueira MEC, et al. Metodologia e perfil sociodemográfico, cognitivo e de fragilidade de idosos comunitários de sete cidades brasileiras: Estudo FIBRA. Cad Saúde Pública 2013; 29(4): 778-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2013000400015
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2013... .

In the second stage, the elderly were recruited from their homes by trained personnel with the objective of identifying the elderly and selecting them according to the research criteria. The following exclusion criteria were used according to Ferrucci et al: presence of deficits regarding memory, attention, spatial or temporal orientations or communication suggestive of cognitive deficit; permanent or temporary walking incapacity, except with the use of a walking aid; localized loss of strength and aphasia due to CVA; severe motor speech or affectivity impairment associated with advanced Parkinson’s disease; severe auditory or visual deficit; and be in a terminal stage²⁷27. Ferrucci L, Guralnik ÃM, Studenski S, Fried LP, Cutler GB Jr, Walston JD. Designing randomized, controlled trials aimed at preventing or delaying functional decline and disability in frail, older persons: a consensus report. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004; 52(4): 625-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52174.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004... . It is possible to visualize the characteristics of the sample in Table 1.

A single data collection session was held in easily accessible public places²⁶26. Neri AL, Yassuda MS, Araújo LF de, Eulálio MC, Cabral BE, Siqueira MEC, et al. Metodologia e perfil sociodemográfico, cognitivo e de fragilidade de idosos comunitários de sete cidades brasileiras: Estudo FIBRA. Cad Saúde Pública 2013; 29(4): 778-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2013000400015
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2013... . The collection began with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) which includes identification questionnaires and sociodemographic data.

The cut-off points were: 17 for the illiterate; 22 for the elderly with 1 - 4 years of schooling; 24 for those with 5-8 years of schooling and 26 for those with 9 or more years of schooling. These cutoff points were based on the Brucki et al.²⁸28. Brucki SMD, Nitrini R, Caramelli P, Bertolucci PHF, Okamoto IH. Sugestões para o uso do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental no Brasil. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2003; 61(3-B): 777-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2003000500014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2003... criteria, bar one standard deviation. For this reason, 23.8% of the elderly were excluded from the initial sample.

This manuscript is an integral part of the doctoral thesis of one of the authors, Taiguara Bertelli Costa, entitled Physical Activity, Social Activity and Satisfaction with Life: crucial relationships in successful old age, under the guidance of the co-author, Prof. Dr.Anita Liberalesso Neri.

This work was not submitted to any other journal and was not presented at a scientific meeting. Both, Taiguara Bertelli Costa and Anita Liberalesso Neri, collaborated in the conception of the article; in the analysis and interpretation of the data; in the writing of the article and relevant critical revision of the intellectual content; and final approval of the version to be published.

The Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) approved this study with the Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Assessment (CAAE) number 47962815.1.0000.5404. All participants signed the Informed Consent Term (ICF), in a format approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM) of Unicamp, under opinion 208/2007.

VARIABLES

Physical activity

Physical activity was evaluated taking into account the domains: physical exercises and active sports; domestic activities; work activities in commuting to work and during work breaks. The instrument was composed of items taken from the Brazilian version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Activity Questionnaire (MLTAQ)²⁹29. Lustosa LP, Pereira DS, Dias RC, Brito RR, Parentoni AN, Pereira LSM. Tradução e adaptação transcultural do Minnesota Leisure Time Activities Questionnaire em idosos. Geriatr Gerontol 2011; 5(2): 57-65.. Sixteen items were used to evaluate the practice of regular physical exercises and sports in an active leisure situations and 11 investigated the performance of varied domestic activities¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... . Four items concerned the practice of paid or voluntary work and the way this work was performed (sitting or standing, light or heavy, carrying weights greater than 13 kg), and walking when commuting to work or during work breaks.

They were all yes or no, and they were all questioned about the continuity of activities over the previous two weeks, weekly frequency, and daily duration in minutes. Subsequently, the correspondences of the activities with their metabolic equivalents (MET) were investigated, which allowed them to be classified as mild, moderate or vigorous intensity level¹¹11. Strath SJ, Kaminsky L, Ainsworth BE, Ekelund U, Freedson PS, Gary RA, et al. Guide to the assessment of physical activity: Clinical and research applications: A scientific statement from the American Heart association. Circulation 2013; 128(20): 2259-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435708.67487.da
http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435... ^,3030. Ainsworth BE, Haskell WL, Whitt MC, Irwin ML, Swartz AM, Strath SJ, et al. Compendium of Physical Activities : an update of activity codes and MET intensities. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2000; 32(9 Supl.): S498-504..

Social activities

Social activities were evaluated through a 13-item inventory (AAVD) based on the model by Baltes et al.³¹31. Baltes M, Mayr U, Borchelt M, Maas I, Wilms H-U. Everyday competence in old and very old age: An intterdisciplinary perspecive. Ageing Soc 1993; 13(4): 657-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X00001392
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X00001... regarding behavioural competences in old age, and a model based on Reuben et al.³²32. Reuben D, Laliberte L, Hiris J, Mor V. A hierarchical exercise scale o measure functional at the Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADL) level. J Am Geriatr Soc 1990; 38(8): 855-61., who constructed a taxonomy of complex activities that require autonomy and functional independence and which are performed in complex environments. Some of them involve performance related to social roles. The instrument included alternative responses based on Souza et al.³³33. Souza AC, Magalhães L de C, Teixeira-Salmela LF. Adaptação transcultural e análise das propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Perfi l de Atividade Humana. Cad Saúde Pública 2006; 22(12): 2623-36. in the cross-cultural validation that made up the Human Activity Profile (PAH), which consists in asking if the respondent never did, still does or did not do each activity. This measure is important to avoid data contamination resulting from economic conditions and gender roles. The survey included several activities of a social nature, such as paid or voluntary activities; associative activities, such as participating in boards and councils and taking part in groups of elderly cohabitation; educational activities, such as attending universities of the Third Age; SA, such as visiting friends, attending social gatherings and cultural events and going to church; leisure activities such as traveling out of town or in the country; and complex psychomotor activities such as driving a car.

Age, gender and family income

The information was obtained through self-reports regarding date of birth, gender and family income in gross values.

DATA ANALYSIS

Physical activity

For the classification of the elderly regarding PAL, the weekly time spent on moderate intensity PA¹¹11. Strath SJ, Kaminsky L, Ainsworth BE, Ekelund U, Freedson PS, Gary RA, et al. Guide to the assessment of physical activity: Clinical and research applications: A scientific statement from the American Heart association. Circulation 2013; 128(20): 2259-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435708.67487.da
http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435... plus the weekly time spent on vigorous PA¹¹11. Strath SJ, Kaminsky L, Ainsworth BE, Ekelund U, Freedson PS, Gary RA, et al. Guide to the assessment of physical activity: Clinical and research applications: A scientific statement from the American Heart association. Circulation 2013; 128(20): 2259-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435708.67487.da
http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000435... multiplied by two²¹21. Knuth AG, Bacchieri G, Victora CG, Hallal PC. Changes in physical activity among Brazilian adults over a 5-year period. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 64(7): 591-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.088526
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.0885... , was considered with reference to the current recommendations of weekly volume, in minutes, for moderate intensity activities ( 150 minutes) and vigorous (75 minutes) of the World Health Organization (WHO)¹³13. World Health Organization. Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Genebra: World Health Organization; 2010, p. 60.^,3434. Stathi A, Fox KR, McKenna J. Physical Activity and Dimensions of Subjective Well-Being in Older Adults. J Aging Phys Act 2002; 10(1): 76-92. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.10.1.76
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.10.1.76... . Three categories were developed: inactive, those who did not report practicing any PA; insufficiently active, those who did not reach 150 minutes per week; and active, those who spent 150 minutes or more²¹21. Knuth AG, Bacchieri G, Victora CG, Hallal PC. Changes in physical activity among Brazilian adults over a 5-year period. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 64(7): 591-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.088526
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.0885... .

Social activity index

In order to analyze the performance of SA, a social activity index (SAI) was developed. The frequencies of the “never”, “I don´t do anymore” and “I still do” answers were counted for each of the items. The activities that the elderly had never performed were not included in the calculation of the percentage of SA performed. The SAI corresponded to the sum of the activities that each elderly person still did divided by the sum of those that they did not continue and those they still did. The result was a percentage value that indicated the degree of social involvement: <50% = low; 51-80% = moderate and> 80% = high.

Socioeconomic variables

The ages were grouped into four ranges: 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, and 80 years or older. Monthly family income values were also collected in monthly minimum salary units (MS): <1; 1.1 to 3.0; 3.1 to 5.0; 5.1 to 10.0; and > 10.0.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 2,344 elderly, with a mean age of 72.3 (± 5.5), 65.6% were women. Considering the overall indicator, 64.8% of the elderly reported a high level of PA engagement. On the other hand, 5.8% described that they did not participate in any PA in any of the four contexts. The majority of the elderly (52.6%) reported moderate SAI. Discriminating the context for the practice of PA, leisure activities were highlighted as the domain with the highest active percentages (44.4%), household tasks had the highest percentage related to insufficiently active (51.7%), while the work and commuting contexts were those with the highest levels of physical inactivity (Table 2).

Comparative analyses by gender showed that this variable significantly affected the PAL. Considering the overall indicator, men stood out among those who were inactive and among those with a high level of PA, while women were the majority of those who were insufficiently active.

High PAL in leisure, housework and work, as well as low and moderate SAI were more frequent among men. Among women, greater frequencies of physical inactivity were observed in the leisure time and work domains, and insufficiently active levels in household tasks and high SAI (χ², p <0.001 in all analyses).

The age variable affected all the activity indicators in the comparative analyses of frequencies. The presence of older participants was more frequent among those less active in global PAL, leisure time, housework, work, SAI (χ², p <0.001 in all analyses) and commuting (Fisher’s exact, p = 0.008) .

Upon analysing the groups of income categories, the elderly participants with higher income were more active in the global PAL indicators, leisure time, work, SAI (χ², p <0.001 in all analyses) and in commuting (Fisher’s exact, p = 0.008). The individuals with lower income were less active in the leisure time, work (χ², p <0.001 in all analyses) and in the commuting domains. (Fisher’s exact, p = 0.008).

Two models of multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed (Table 3). In order to avoid multicollinearity, the overall PAL indicator, derived from the junction of the four domains of PA, was analysed separately. The independent variables - activity levels - show association with each other. Despite the outcome, in all analyses, at least one PA or SA indicator was found to be significantly associated with the analysed result. Among sociodemographic variables, being younger, being male and having higher family income represented a greater chance for the overall high PAL outcome. Being a man and having a higher income accounted for a better chance of having high PAL in the leisure domain. Being younger and being a woman corresponded to a higher chance of having high PAL in household tasks domain.

Having higher income, being younger and being a man accounted for a higher chance of having high a PAL in the work domain. Being younger and having a higher family income corresponded to a higher chance of having a high PAL in the commuting domain. Finally, being female and being younger represented a higher chance for high SAI, as presented in Table 3.

DISCUSSION

Considering the PA indicators, it is possible to affirm that the sample has a high level of activity. Compared with other national studies, the frequency of elderly people who did not reach the recommendations of 150 minutes of weekly PA (slightly more than 35%) was above only that presented by Florindo et al. (31.8%), with a composite sample of elderly individuals aged 60-65 years¹⁹19. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.. In the other national studies that investigated PA in four different domains, the frequency ranged from 40.7 to 76.3%²⁰20. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... ^,2121. Knuth AG, Bacchieri G, Victora CG, Hallal PC. Changes in physical activity among Brazilian adults over a 5-year period. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 64(7): 591-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.088526
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.0885... ^,2525. Hallal PC, Victora CG, Wells JC, Lima R. Physical activity: prevalence and associated variables in Brazilians adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2003; 35(11): 1894-900. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000093615.33774.0E
https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.000009361... ^,3535. Benedetti TRB, Gonçalves LH, Petroski E, Nassar SM, Schwingel A, Chodzko-Zajko W. Aging in Brazil: Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Conditions, and Diseases Among Older Adults in Southern Brazil. J Appl Gerontol 2008; 27(5): 631-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710
https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710... .

The PA domain with the highest frequency for active elderly participants was leisure time and household tasks had the lowest frequency for inactive elderly participants, which reinforces the literature that indicates the domain of home maintenance activities as the most suitable for elderly women in relation to physical activity¹⁹19. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2020. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... .

The work and commuting domains were those that presented the lowest frequencies for active elderly participants, which is supported in the literature¹⁹19. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2020. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... ^,3535. Benedetti TRB, Gonçalves LH, Petroski E, Nassar SM, Schwingel A, Chodzko-Zajko W. Aging in Brazil: Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Conditions, and Diseases Among Older Adults in Southern Brazil. J Appl Gerontol 2008; 27(5): 631-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710
https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710... and is expected as it includes individuals of retirement age. PA in commuting considered work as a reference, and therefore, suffered direct interference from this domain.

The elderly men were physically more inactive than the elderly women. They are the majority among those who have reported adequate PA. Men stood out among the most active in leisure time, work and in the overall PA indicator, a fact widely supported in the literature¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,1919. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2020. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... , while being a woman was significantly associated with high SAI and PAL in domestic tasks.

These data stimulate the discussion about the criterion of inactivity. Studies that consider not meeting the recommendations of weekly PA volume in minutes as a criterion of inactivity or sedentary lifestyle²⁰20. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... ^,2525. Hallal PC, Victora CG, Wells JC, Lima R. Physical activity: prevalence and associated variables in Brazilians adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2003; 35(11): 1894-900. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000093615.33774.0E
https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.000009361... ^,3535. Benedetti TRB, Gonçalves LH, Petroski E, Nassar SM, Schwingel A, Chodzko-Zajko W. Aging in Brazil: Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Conditions, and Diseases Among Older Adults in Southern Brazil. J Appl Gerontol 2008; 27(5): 631-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710
https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710... tend to relate inactivity to the female gender²⁰20. Benedetti TRB, Borges LJ, Petroski EL, Gonçalves LHT. Physical activity and mental health status among elderly people. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet] 2008 [acessado em 05 abr. 2016]; 42(2): 302-7. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327498 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18327... ^,3535. Benedetti TRB, Gonçalves LH, Petroski E, Nassar SM, Schwingel A, Chodzko-Zajko W. Aging in Brazil: Physical Activity, Socioeconomic Conditions, and Diseases Among Older Adults in Southern Brazil. J Appl Gerontol 2008; 27(5): 631-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710
https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464808319710... .

However, the data presented here contradict this point of view and demonstrate that this statement can be controversial, especially if the specific domain in which the activity was performed is not considered.

Two aspects should be considered in the analysis of the influence of gender on the PA AND SA engagement by the elderly: physical health and the influence of the social roles resulting from this variable. Women experience greater functional incapacity in old age than men³⁶36. Alves LC, Leite IC, Machado CJ. Fatores associados à incapacidade funcional dos idosos no Brasil : análise multinível. Rev Saúde Pública 2010; 44(3): 2-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010005000009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010... ^,3737. Nogueira SL, Ribeiro RCL, Rosado LEFPL, Franceschini SCC, Ribeiro AQ, Pereira ET. Fatores determinantes da capacidade funcional em idosos longevos. Rev Bras Fisioter 2010; 14(4): 322-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552010005000019
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552010... , which results in a greater restriction in the performance of higher intensity PA, such as leisure time physical activities (LTPA).On the other hand, activities which require less functional demands, such as going to church and making visits, are the most prevalent among those that compose the SAI³⁸38. Neri AL, Ribeiro LHM, Costa TB, Pinto JM, Mantovani EP, Pereira AA. Relações entre atividades sociais, físicas, de lazer passivo e de repouso diurno e fragilidade. In: Neri AL, editor. Fragilidade e Qualidade de Vida na Velhice. Campinas: Alínea ; 2013. p. 247-66.. In general, women are given the role of caring for their families and the home, while men are given the role of provider. Thus, it is correct to think that the elderly women tend to engage in milder intensity activities, of a social nature, that include household maintenance and that are closer to the family-neighbourhood nucleus, while the elderly men, although initially more reluctant to engage, are more likely to commit to higher intensity activities and further away from this nucleus³⁸38. Neri AL, Ribeiro LHM, Costa TB, Pinto JM, Mantovani EP, Pereira AA. Relações entre atividades sociais, físicas, de lazer passivo e de repouso diurno e fragilidade. In: Neri AL, editor. Fragilidade e Qualidade de Vida na Velhice. Campinas: Alínea ; 2013. p. 247-66.^,3939. Li Y, Lin S, Chen C. Gender Differences in the Relationship of Social Activity and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Taiwanese Elders. J Women Aging 2011; 23(4): 305-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2011.611052
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2011.... because they are more accustomed to being involved in labour and productive activities or having better functionality³⁶36. Alves LC, Leite IC, Machado CJ. Fatores associados à incapacidade funcional dos idosos no Brasil : análise multinível. Rev Saúde Pública 2010; 44(3): 2-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010005000009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010... ^,3737. Nogueira SL, Ribeiro RCL, Rosado LEFPL, Franceschini SCC, Ribeiro AQ, Pereira ET. Fatores determinantes da capacidade funcional em idosos longevos. Rev Bras Fisioter 2010; 14(4): 322-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552010005000019
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552010... .

Family income did not affect the SA indicator, but affected the PA indicator. Those with higher income stood out among the most active in the global indicator, in leisure, work and commuting.

The association between family income and high PAL in work and commuting is presumed, since those who still perform paid activities contribute to the family income, therefore these indicators are directly associated with this variable.

PA indicators in leisure time are directly influenced by socioeconomic conditions¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... : elderly people with higher incomes have greater access to services that offer opportunities to practice physical exercises, such as gyms and clubs, or reside near environments conducive to such practices, such as such as squares, parks and gardens¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... .

The level of income in old age is directly related to that of education: older people with a higher level of education tend to have greater access to information, greater ability to change their lifestyle and to adhere to healthier behaviours, seek more health services and take better care of their physical health³⁶36. Alves LC, Leite IC, Machado CJ. Fatores associados à incapacidade funcional dos idosos no Brasil : análise multinível. Rev Saúde Pública 2010; 44(3): 2-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010005000009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010... . Age was the second variable that most influenced the prevalence of the analysed activities. However, unlike gender, in all associations, ageing meant a decrease in the chance of reaching a high level of engagement in the activity indicators. This is widely reported in the literature, which indicates that the functional declines associated with ageing are important barriers to the adherence to PA and SA¹⁵15. Morsch P, Pereira GNP, Navarro JH do N, Trevisan MD, Lopes DGCL, Bós ÂJG. Características clínicas e sociais determinantes para o idoso sair de casa. Cad Saúde Pública 2015; 31(5): 1025-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01021-311X00053014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01021-311X0005... ^,1717. Pinto JM, Neri AL. Factors associated with low life life satisfaction in community-dwelling elderly: FIBRA Study. Cad Saúde Pública. 2013; 29(12): 2447-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173212
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173... ^,1919. Florindo AA, Guimarães VV, Cesar CLG, Barros MBDA, Alves MCGP, Goldbaum M. Epidemiology of leisure, transportation, occupational, and household physical activity: prevalence and associated factors. J Phys Act Health 2009; 6(5): 625-32.^,2121. Knuth AG, Bacchieri G, Victora CG, Hallal PC. Changes in physical activity among Brazilian adults over a 5-year period. J Epidemiol Community Health 2010; 64(7): 591-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.088526
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.0885... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... ^,2525. Hallal PC, Victora CG, Wells JC, Lima R. Physical activity: prevalence and associated variables in Brazilians adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc 2003; 35(11): 1894-900. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000093615.33774.0E
https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.000009361... ^,4040. Knuth AG, Malta DC, Dumith SC, Pereira CA, Morais Neto OL, Temporão JG, et al. Prática de atividade física e sedentarismo em brasileiros: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD) - 2008. Ciên Saúde Colet 2011; 16(9): 3697-705. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232011001000007
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232011... . This is reinforced by the fact that at least one activity indicator was selected as a predictor of the outcome in all analyses, i.e., there is a certain collinearity between activity indicators, and it is correct to think that this is due to physical health and functionality. In addition, the environment and people’s perception of it is an important factor to be taken into account in this analysis, since it is directly associated with engagement in activities, physical health and functionality⁴¹41. Kaczynski AT, Henderson KA. Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity: A Review of Evidence about Parks and Recreation. Leis Sci 2007; 29(4): 315-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490400701394865
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490400701394... ^,4242. Levasseur M, Cohen AA, Dubois M, Généreux M, Richard L, Therrien F, et al. Environmental Factors Associated With Social Participation of Older Adults Living in Metropolitan, Urban, and Rural Areas: The NuAge Study. Am J Public Health 2015; 105(8): 1718-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302415
http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.3024... ^,4343. Richard L, Gauvin L, Kestens Y, Shatenstein B, Payette H, Daniel M, et al. Neighborhood Resources and Social Participation Among Older Adults: Results From the VoisiNuage Study. J Aging Health 2012; 25(2): 296-318. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0898264312468487
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/08982643124684... ^,4444. Bowling A, Barber J, Morris R, Ebrahim S. Do perceptions of neighbourhood environment influence health ? Baseline findings from a British survey of aging. J Epidemiol Community Health 2006; 60: 476-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.039032
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.0390... .In urban areas where older people live, aspects such as public transportation, mobility, architecture, urban structure and safety⁴⁵45. Organização Mundial da Saúde. Guia Global: Cidade Amiga do Idoso [Internet]. Genebra: Organização Mundial da Saúde; 2008 [acessado em 10 abr. 2016]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.who.int/ageing/GuiaAFCPortuguese.pdf .
http://www.who.int/ageing/GuiaAFCPortugu... generally impose physical and social barriers on the elderly’s transit, restricting their living space,⁴⁶46. Baker PS, Bodner EV, Allman RM. Measuring Life-Space Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2003; 51(11): 1610-4. limiting sociability and, consequently PA and SA⁴²42. Levasseur M, Cohen AA, Dubois M, Généreux M, Richard L, Therrien F, et al. Environmental Factors Associated With Social Participation of Older Adults Living in Metropolitan, Urban, and Rural Areas: The NuAge Study. Am J Public Health 2015; 105(8): 1718-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302415
http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.3024... ^,4545. Organização Mundial da Saúde. Guia Global: Cidade Amiga do Idoso [Internet]. Genebra: Organização Mundial da Saúde; 2008 [acessado em 10 abr. 2016]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.who.int/ageing/GuiaAFCPortuguese.pdf .
http://www.who.int/ageing/GuiaAFCPortugu... ^,4747. Nigg CR, Durand Z. The Theoretical Basis for Engagement in Physical Activity Among Older Adults. Annu Rev Gerontol Geratrics 2016; 36(1): 251-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0198-8794.36.251
http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0198-8794.36.2... .

CONCLUSION

The central variables in the study, PA and SA, were collected using adapted instruments. Although this fact may represent a weak point in the study, it is worth noting that there is no one instrument that is widely accepted for the investigation of PA and SA, whether they are investigated jointly or separately. Other investigations have already used the same inventories for investigations regarding PA¹⁸18. Costa TB, Neri AL. Medidas de aividade física e fragilidade em idosos: dados do FIBRA Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2011; 27(8): 1537-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800009
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2011... ^,2222. Costa TB, Ribeiro LHM, Neri AL. Prevalence of and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity in older adults from seven Brazilian cities : data from the FIBRA study. Rev Bras Atividade Física Saúde 2015; 20(2): 174-83. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p174
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.20n2p17... or AS¹⁷17. Pinto JM, Neri AL. Factors associated with low life life satisfaction in community-dwelling elderly: FIBRA Study. Cad Saúde Pública. 2013; 29(12): 2447-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173212
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00173... ^,2424. Pinto JM, Neri AL. Doenças crônicas, capacidade funcional , envolvimento social e satisfação em idosos comunitários: Estudo Fibra. Ciên Saúde Colet 2013; 18(12): 3449-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232013001200002
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232013... levels. In addition, the territorial scope of the present study, composed of elderly from five Brazilian geographic macro regions, ensures that the sample contains reasonable socioeconomic, geographic and cultural variability and reinforces the importance of the data presented here. Most of the results of this study confirm information from the literature and support the assertion that engagement in activities of different domains is affected by independent variables. Low levels of income were important barriers to physical activity, but gender and age were the independent variables that most affected the engagement profile of the elderly. The association between gender and activities belonging to specific domains suggests the relevance of considering this variable in the analysis of the profiles of the activities of men and women. Ageing has proven to be the biggest barrier to physical activity in old age. Enabling older people to engage in PA and SA is a complex challenge to public policies that promote active aging, given the greater relative growth of elderly people aged 80 and over.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge all the friends of the Gerontology Graduate Program of the Medical Sciences Faculty of Unicamp and, especially, all the elderly participants of the FIBRA Study. None of this would be possible without them.

References

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History