Association of Stress with Healthy Aging, the Role of Physical Activity

Abstract

The World Health Organization attracted more attention to the positive effects of physical activity (PA) and the adverse effects of stress on the health of older people and, therefore, attracted a more significant number of practitioners. To verify the impact of PA on stress in older people. Observational and analytical research, composed of 690 older people of both genders residing in Brazil, present in street races (as participants or observers), who volunteered to respond to the research protocol consisting of sociodemographic profile, selected questions from the physical activity inventory for the older people, Baecke-Old, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The sample of active older people, 84.35% practitioners of physical activity and 75.4% with higher education, revealed mild-moderate stress at 83.77%, with mean = 51.68%, standard deviation = 12.33%. There was correspondence between PA and stress (p < 0.05). Older people practitioners of physical activity with a higher education level have a mild-moderate stress level. Considering the aging of societies worldwide, with the tendency of older people to present a mild-moderate level of stress, it is suggested that measures be taken for greater vigilance about the stress of older people.