Abstract

GUIMARAES, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo  and  BAPTISTA, Fátima. Habitual physical activity and quality of life of middle-aged women. Rev Bras Med Esporte [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.5, pp. 305-309. ISSN 1517-8692.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-86922011000500002.

OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between of regular physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QL) in middle age women. METHODS: 1011 female subjects, aged 45-59, took part in the research, considering 370 peri-menopausal and 641 post-menopausal, within the body mass index (BMI) 25±4 kg/m2 and schooling average 1-13 years. The QL was evaluated by the WHOQOL, and the PA through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: After dividing the sample into three groups according to the practice of total PA (A: <30 min/day; B: 30-60 min/day, C:> 60 min/day), analysis of variance adjusted for BMI and menopausal status (peri vs. postmenopause) showed differences in QL between groups A, B and group C in the physical domain and between group A and group B, C in psychological, social and environmental domains (p≤0.001). CONCLUSION: The accumulation of 30 min/day of total PA seems to be associated with more favorable effects on the psychological, social and environmental domains; however, it seems that at least 60 min/day are necessary to act on the physical domain. Nevertheless, such associations may reflect the impact of QL in the total amount of PA. Thus, the PA practice 30 min/day may be more conditioned by the psychological, social and environmental domains while the practice of 60 min/day by the physical domain.

Keywords : physical activity; women; perimenopause; postmenopause.