Human activity profile in older adults: sex and age differences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2317-0190.v32i3a237486Keywords:
Exercise, Activities of Daily Living, Physical Functional Performance, Healthy Aging, Social Participation, AgedAbstract
Aging leads to a gradual decline in physiological function, increasing the risk of chronic conditions and functional limitations. Nevertheless, many older adults can preserve health and independence through preventive strategies like regular physical activity. Tools like the Human Activity Profile (HAP) help assess activity levels and support health promotion. Objective: To evaluate activity and participation among community-dwelling older adults using the HAP and explore differences by sex and age group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 99 individuals aged 60 or older from cities in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the HAP, classifying individuals as inactive, moderately active, or active. Group comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p<0.05). Results: The mean age was 69.8 ± 7.6 years (range: 60–93), and 60.6% were women. The mean adjusted activity score was 65.7 ± 15.3 (range: 0–91). Men had significantly higher scores than women (p= 0.001). Participants aged 60–69 scored higher than those aged 80 and older (p= 0.002), with no significant difference from the 70–79 age group. Conclusion: Activity and participation levels varied by sex and age. Overall, participants were classified as moderately active. Men were more active than women, and those aged 80 and older were inactive primarily.
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