Engagement in a Community Physical Activity Program and Its Effects Upon the Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly People: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background Aging is related to an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and impairments in health-related quality of life. Physical activity is a nonpharmacological intervention that is known to prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases and improve quality of life. Objectives To compare the quality of life, as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), of elderly participants and nonparticipants in a community physical activity program. Methods One hundred elderly men and women (age > 60 years) who were either sedentary (sedentary [S] group; n = 50, 30 men) or physically active and attended a community physical activity program (physical activity [PA] group; n = 50, 30 men) took part in the study. All participants completed the SF-36 subscales to assess their quality of life. Results The PA group reported higher values on the functioning capacity and general health perceptions subscales of the SF-36 when compared with the S group. Conversely, scores on the following SF-36 subscales did not differ between the groups: role limitations due to physical problems, pain, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. A ceiling effect was evident in both groups for all SF-36 subscales. Conclusions The SF-36 subscales were not sufficiently sensitive to detect differences between the S and PA groups (except for functioning capacity and general health perceptions), probably because of ceiling effects.