RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o histórico de quedas e investigar as condições de saúde e fatores de risco para sua ocorrência em idosos cadastrados nas unidades da Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Foram entrevistados 163 idosos cadastrados em dez unidades da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, por meio da aplicação de questionário estruturado para caracterização da presença de doenças autorreferidas, quedas nos últimos 12 meses, características da moradia e recebimento de visitas de profissionais de saúde. Além disso, os idosos foram submetidos a uma avaliação antropométrica. O índice de quedas foi de 31,3%, sendo que o gênero (p=0,032), o autorrelato de muitos móveis na residência (p=0,013) e a presença de doenças cardiometabólicas/respiratórias (p=0,024) são os fatores que se relacionam significantemente com a ocorrência de quedas no último ano. Os idosos do grupo quedas apresentaram maior índice de massa corporal (p=0,014) e maior número de doenças cardiometabólicas/respiratórias (p=0,015) e neuropsicológicas (p=0,049). Aproximadamente um terço dos idosos caíram no último ano, e a maior presença de quedas ocorreu em mulheres e em idosos que apresentaram maior presença de doenças cardiometabólicas/respiratórias e neuropsicológicas, além de maior índice de massa corporal e muitos móveis na residência.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the history of falls and investigate health conditions and risk factors for falls in elderly subjects enrolled in the Family Health Strategy units. One hundred sixty-three elderly subjects registered in ten Family Health Strategy units were interviewed by applying a structured questionnaire to characterize living conditions, self-reported diseases, the occurrence of falls in the last 12 months, housing characteristics, and receiving visits from a health professional. In addition, the elderly underwent an anthropometric assessment. The results indicate a fall rate of 31.3%, with gender (p=0.032), self-report of how much furniture at home (p=0.013), and the presence of cardiometabolic/respiratory diseases (p=0.024) being the factors that are significantly related to the presence of falls in the last year. Elderly fallers had higher body mass index (p=0.014) and higher number of cardiometabolic/respiratory (p=0.015) and neuropsychological diseases (p=0.049). It can be concluded that approximately one-third of the elderly fell in the last year. A greater presence of falls occurs in women and the elderly with a higher presence of cardiometabolic/respiratory and neuropsychological diseases, in addition to higher body mass index and furniture at home.

OBJECTIVE: Physical exercise helps to prevent cardiovascular disorders. Campaigns promoting exercise have taken many people to the parks of our city. The most appropriate exercise for preventing cardiovascular disorders is the aerobic modality; inappropriate exercise acutely increases cardiovascular risk, especially in individuals at higher risk. Therefore, assessing the cardiovascular risk of these individuals and their physical activities is of practical value. METHODS: In the Parque Fernando Costa, we carried out the project "Exercício e Coração" (Exercise and Heart) involving 226 individuals. Assessment of the cardiovascular risk and of the physical activity practiced by the individuals exercising at that park was performed with a questionnaire and measurement of the following parameters: blood pressure, weight, height, and waist/hip ratio. The individuals were lectured on the benefits provided by exercise and how to correctly exercise. Each participant received a customized exercise prescription. RESULTS: In regard to risk, 43% of the individuals had health problems and 7% of the healthy individuals had symptoms that could be attributed to heart disorders. High blood pressure was observed in a large amount of the population. In regard to the adequacy of the physical activity, the individuals exercised properly. The project was well accepted, because the participants not only appreciated the initiative, but also reported altering their exercise habits after taking part in the project. CONCLUSION: Data obtained in the current study point to the need to be more careful in assessing the health of individuals who exercise at parks, suggesting that city parks should have a sector designated for assessing and guiding physical activity.