PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PREVALENCE OF FALLS AMONG ELDERLY LIVING IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the relation between the physical activities level and falls prevalence among elderly people in the city of Florianopolis, state of Santa Catatina, Brazil. It is an epidemiological , cross-sectional and descriptive study, carried out in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil. The sampling, of statistical type and stratified by census section and sex, resulted in a sample of 875 senior citizens. The instruments adopted for data collection were the Questionnaire Brazil Old Age Schedule (BOAS) and the International Questionnaire of Physical Activities (IPAQ) long version. Results pointed out that 59.3% of seniors were considered more active ones. Seniors who suffered falls during the period of three months before the interview reached the amount of 11.4% and most of them were more active people. There was statistical association between falls and the variables: problems in the feet (p=0,002) and articulations (p=0,006). It concludes that it is necessary to prevent falls and, at the same time, to stimulate physical activities free from risks for the elderly population.