Fatores de adesão e permanência de idosos com diabetes tipo 2 a um programa de exercício físico

Introduction: A great proportion of elderly people with type 2 diabetic do not regularly practice any type of physical exercise. Objectives: To identify factors that influence elderly people with type 2 diabetes to exercise. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted. The sample consisted of 49 elderly individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Questionnaires were applied regarding beginning, continuing and quitting exercise programs, as well as depressive symptoms. For the data analysis, Cronbach's alpha was calculated, and factor analysis and correlation of the data were performed. Results: The following reasons for beginning a physical exercise program were discovered: encouragement by friends and family, desire to improve self-esteem or self-image and medical referral. The reasons for staying active were to relieve tension, make friends, develop skills, obtain self-reward, burn calories and maintain flexibility. Conclusion: The results showed that extrinsic factors are the ones that most influence elderly people with type 2 diabetes to begin a physical exercise program and to continue with it.