Leasure-time physical activity and its relation with the evolution of the functional capacity of elderly living in community.

Introduction: Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon and the Brazilian population is aging at a higher speed than the world average. By 2025, Brazil will have the 6th largest elderly population in the world with 32 million people over the age of 60 years. During aging, the high prevalence of chronic diseases increases the loss of functional capacity, an important indicator of health. There is evidence that physical activity reduces disability among the elderly. Objective: To evaluate the influence of leisure-time physical activity on the functional capacity of elderly people living in the community during the follow-up time. Method: Longitudinal study with secondary data of the elderly cohort EPIDOSO Project. The study was developed in two stages: a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline with 907 elderly (≥60 years) and a longitudinal analysis that evaluated 287 individuals aged 60 years or older over an average of 3.5 years of follow-up. The dependent variable was the Functional Capacity (FC) measured by a scale of independence in activities of daily living (ADL). The independent variables were sociodemographic, health and behavioral characteristics such as leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), measured by the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity (IPAQ). For the transversal analysis, a Multinomial Logistic Regression was performed, and for the longitudinal one was performed a Multiple Linear Regression. Results: According to LTPA, the 907 participants in the study were classified as inactive (54.7%), insufficiently active (17.5%) and active (27.8%). LTPA was associated with FC (p <0.01). Among the active ones, 41% were independent (no limitation in ADLs) and inactive individuals presented a twofold higher chance of having severe dependence (more than seven limitations in ADL) when compared to the active ones. FC was also strongly associated with age, BMI and the presence of dysthymia. The advancing age, obesity and the presence of depressive disorder increased the chance of the elderly presenting more limitation. Longitudinal analysis showed that the relationship between LTPA and FC loses significance but remains in the right direction, indicating that when the minutes per week of leisure-time physical activity increase, the number of difficulties in ADL decreases. Functional capacity had a significant relationship with age, BMI, schooling and the number of difficulties in AVD in Wave 1. Conclusions: The results indicate that, a wide network of socio-demographic and health factors influence FC. Knowledge of these factors enables health actions to be better directed to this part of the population. It is noteworthy the relevance of leasure-time physical activity as one of the few behavioral factors that could change and one of the main contributors to an active and healthy aging.Introdução: O envelhecimento da população é um fenômeno mundial e a população brasileira envelhece numa velocidade mais rápida do que a média mundial. Em 2050 o Brasil terá a 6ª maior população de idosos no mundo com 32 milhões de pessoas com mais de 60 anos. Durante o envelhecimento, a alta prevalência de doenças crônicas aumenta a perda da capacidade funcional, importante indicador de saúde. Há evidências de que a atividade física reduz a incapacidade entre idosos. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da atividade física no lazer na capacidade funcional de idosos que vivem em comunidade ao longo do tempo de seguimento. Método: Análise longitudinal com dados da segunda coorte do Projeto EPIDOSO. O estudo foi desenvolvido em duas etapas: uma análise transversal da linha de base com 907 idosos (60 anos ou mais); e uma longitudinal que avaliou 287 indivíduos com mais de 60 anos, ao longo de uma média de 3,5 anos de acompanhamento. A variável dependente foi a Capacidade Funcional (CF) mensurada através da escala de atividades de vida diária (AVDs). As variáveis independentes foram características sociodemográficas, de saúde e comportamentais como a Atividade Física no Lazer (AFL), medida através do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). Para a análise transversal foi realizada Regressão Logística Multinomial e para a longitudinal uma Regressão Linear Múltipla. Resultados: De acordo com a AFL, os 907 idosos participantes do estudo foram classificados em inativos (54,7%), insuficientemente ativos (17,5%) e ativos (27,8%). A AFL apresentou-se associada à CF (p