BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The number of people aged 80 years or above is increasing worldwide. Considering that most such longevous people are physically inactive, and that this is a major risk for the appearance of different diseases and body pains, the regular practice of physical activities may favor the health of such population. So, this study aimed at evaluating pain perception as a barrier for the practice of regular physical activities by physically inactive longevous women. METHODS: This is a descriptive-qualitative research involving 30 physically inactive longevous women, participating in the Familiarity Groups for elderly people from Florianópolis, SC, who participated in five focal groups according to the sanitation division of the city (Center, East, South, North and Continent). Data were treated by content analysis. RESULTS: Inactive women have reported pain in lower and upper limbs, lumbar and/or cervical region and in body in general as factors preventing their practice of regular physical activities. CONCLUSION: The understanding of such pains may help the planning of interventions with longevous people, contributing for actions fostering behavioral changes toward adopting an active life style, which may contribute for a better functional capacity, health conditions and independence of longevous people.
Barriers; Elderly aged 80 years or above; Facilitators; Motor activity; Pain
