The role of folklore in the motivation for physical activity of elderly

Abstract

There are many reports about the biological benefits of the physical activity in older individuals. However the number of physically active elderly is still not satisfactory. This controversial point was used in the present article. It searches if the use of the local folklore as an educating and motivating mechanism was useful for increasing physical activity practices in older individuals. Individuals from "Clube da Amizade" in Caetité city, Bahia (Brazil) were interviewed to assess how folkloric dance was used to motivate them in physical education classes. This article also uses the Paulo Freire reflections that admit the use of regional cultural aspects and the life context as the most import strategy to teach and motivate the participants. The results indicated that is positive to use this referred motivational process to stimulate old ladies in the physical education classes. The interviewed ladies reported that they feel very stimulate during dance classes while they listen to music that makes them to remember past times, culture and moral values.