title: Physical activity in daily life in physically independent elderly participating in community-based exercise program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unclear whether participation in exercise programs specifically developed for elderly translates into a more active lifestyle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the objectively measured level of physical activity in daily life (PADL) between physically independent elderly who participate or do not participate in community-based exercise programs; and to evaluate which factors are associated with the higher level of PADL in these subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  134 elderly participants in community-based exercise programs (PG) and 104 non-participants (NPG) had their level of PADL measured using pedometers during 7 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  6-minute walking test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT), muscle strength, flexibility and balance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PG had higher 1-week mean daily step count than NPG (8314 [IQR 5971-10060] vs. 6250 [IQR 4346-8207] steps/day, p<0.0001), as well as higher step count in any day of the week. There was a higher proportion of physically active subjects (>8000 steps/day) in PG than in NPG (37% vs. 16%, respectively; p<0.001), as well as the proportion of sedentary subjects (<5000 steps/day) (14% vs. 33%, respectively; p<0.001). Participation in exercise programs, 6MWT and ISWT explained a higher daily steps count (model r(2)=0.56, p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In physically independent elderly, a higher level of physical activity in daily life occurs in those who participate in community-based exercise programs, regardless of the weekday and including non-program days. Participation of elderly in community-based exercise programs should be more systematically available and encouraged due to its close link to higher activity levels and better exercise capacity.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Health Sciences (CPCS), Centre of Biological and Health Sciences (CCBS), Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, PR, Brazil. nyhernandes@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nidia A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hernandes
authors.forename: Vanessa S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: Rubens A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Renata S B
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Januário
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pitta
authors.forename: Denilson C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity