Relationship between physical activity and disability due to pain in seniors: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The practice of physical activities brings benefits to physical and mental health, and in the senior population it can contribute to reducing pain complaints. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the level of physical activity and pain disability in seniors.

METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional study carried out with senior people living in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The selection of the seniors was carried out through simple random sampling, totaling 410 respondents. The Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Seniors (MBQS) was used to classify the level of physical activity, also classifying the seniors as active or sedentary. For the analysis of disability due to pain, the Pain Disability Index (PDI) was used.

RESULTS:

Of the 410 seniors participants in this study, 58.5% were female, with a mean age of 72.21±7.0 years. 41% of the seniors were considered active or very active. The sedentary seniors were those who presented greater physical limitations due to pain (p<0.00). Network analysis showed that greater pain limitations were related to leisure, social, and vital activities. It was observed that the higher the level of physical activity, the lower the limitation due to pain (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Physical activity contributes to the seniors’ physical health and can avoid greater risks of pain-related disability.

Keywords:
Pain; Exercise; Mobility limitation

HIGHLIGHTS

The pain limitations showed an inversely proportional relationship to the level of physical activity of seniors, showing that, besides the importance of exercise, it is necessary to have an active life in all aspects.

Physical activity, besides reducing pain, can improve several aspects of the seniors’ life, contributing to their autonomy and better family and social relationships.

The practice of physical activity showed no relationship with age, proving that even the oldest old should be encouraged to be more active as a way to reduce pain and vulnerability.