PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND DEPRESSION LEVEL IN ELDERLY

Abstract

Introduction: In the last 50 years, it has been having a significant increase in the elderly population, which is a group of people that face physical condition decline due to changes occurring in their bodies throughout the years. Objective: Knowing that such a decrease in functional capacity is one the factors causing depression in the elderly, this study aims to determine the influence of physical exercise in the occurrence of signs suggestive of geriatric depression. Materials and Methods: Data were collected through a structured interview using the Geriatric Depression Scale (Yesavage, (1983). Results: From the 15 elderly interviewed, according to Yesavage Geriatric Scale scores, 12 had normal level (80%), 03 presented mild depression (20%), and no moderate / severe depression was observed (0%). Data collected have showed that the practice of regular physical exercise contributes positively to lower depression levels in elderly women, because the active individual presents a lower risk of developing diseases due to the practice itself and also to social life. Conclusion: Thus, it may be concluded that physical activity possibly contributes to an improvement in functional capacity while reduces levels of geriatric depression. DESCRIPTORS: Elderly. Aging. Physical activity.