Abstract

The strengthening of the elements of physical fitness through physical activity is extremely important for the elderly and are directly associated with independence and autonomy in their day-to-day. This study aimed to evaluate physical fitness in three different senior groups, namely elderly participants of a university extension project with physical activity, body builders in conventional and residents academies shelters without physical activity. Were invited, voluntarily, 110 elderly, divided into G1, G2 and G3, respectively, through a battery of fitness tests adapted to the elderly, with assessments of strength and flexibility lower and upper limbs, speed, agility and balance, flexibility the upper limbs and aerobic resistance were also evaluated body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The results show that in all the variables G3 presented rated below the other groups, except BMI compared to G1 and G2, and testing to achieve the back, compared to the G1, thus the G3 was rated risk of loss functional mobility in most tests. The conclusion is the need for the inclusion of older people in physical activity for the maintenance and improvement of physical fitness, thus favoring the quality of life in the aging process.

Keywords: Elderly; Physical fitness; Physical activity