ADERÊNCIA A UM PROTOCOLO DE EXERCÍCIOS AQUÁTICOS EM IDOSOS DA COMUNIDADE

Abstract

Objectives: To verify the adherence of elderly people in the community to an aquatic physical exercise protocol program and which sociodemographic and clinical factors influence adherence to the protocol. Methods: Longitudinal study (September 2019 to February 2021), two groups (Aquatic Physical Exercise Group (GEFA) and Control Group (CG)). Inclusion criteria: non-institutionalized elderly people and not performing supervised and contraindications to aquatic exercises and scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination below the cut-off score for education. GEFA participated in a twice-weekly protocol with one hour per session for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, they regular physical exercise for 150 minutes per week. Exclusion criteria: absolute answered a questionnaire about adherence to the protocol. Results: Ten elderly women (41.7%) showed satisfactory adherence to the GEFA. Clinical and sociodemographic factors did not have a significant influence, except being in the project during the pandemic, which had a negative influence. The majority responded that location, relationship with the physiotherapist, incentives for participation, demonstration and progression of exercises contributed to adherence to aquatic physical exercise. Conclusions: The aquatic exercise protocol showed low adherence during the pandemic.