ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical fitness and quality of life of elderly attending a University of the Third Age (UTA). The sample was composed of 189 elderly women and 50 elderly men, divided into three age ranges (60 to 64 years, 65-69 years and 70 or older). Physical fitness was evaluated by Senior Fitness Test and quality of life by WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. For intragroup and intergroup comparisons between different age ranges and gender was used analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey post hoc test for multiple comparisons, with significance level of p<0.05. Results showed that there was no difference in BMI between gender in different age ranges of elderly from UTA (p>0.05). Nevertheless, elderly men of 65 years or more were with overweight and obesity, and elderly women only between 60 to 64 years. In the physical fitness, elderly man did not showed differences between age ranges and gender in most test (p>0.05). Were presented values below average in most physical fitness tests of elderly from UTA compare to American elderly in different age ranges and gender. The score of 66.16% showed that the samples of elderly were satisfied with the overall quality of life. In conclusion, physical fitness of elderly that attending a University of the Third Age are below average and the elderly are satisfied with the quality of life.
Keywords:
Elderly; Physical fitness; Quality of life; Universities
