Autonomy of action among elderly women on physical activity programs in Brazil and Belgium: a comparative study

Autonomy of action is important for quality of life. This study compared the autonomy of action of elderly female participants on physical activity programs in Brazil (IMMA, n=47, age=75±5 years) and Belgium (ISEPK, n=77; age=69±7 years), using the Senior System for Evaluation of Autonomy of Action (SysSen). The SysSen is composed of a questionnaire (QSAP) about the aerobic power and upper limb strength needed for a life perceived as autonomous, and a fi eld test (TSMP), in which the subject walks 800 m carrying predetermined loads. The QSAP results are used to calculate an Index of Expressed... Mehr ...