Envelhecimento saudável: motivos para a adesão na prática da musculação

Abstract

Scientific evidence highlights the countless benefits that weight training brings to the health and quality of life of the elderly. Little is addressed about the motivational factors of elderly people to adhere to this practice. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to analyze the reasons that lead elderly people to practice bodybuilding in a specific gym in the city of Uruguaiana/RS, which provides classes for audiences of different age groups, being a private gym. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative research, characterized as a case study with an intentional sample, in which elderly people aged 60 and over who practice bodybuilding regularly participated. Data collection was carried out using an online form applied by one of the researchers in an interview format. Questions were asked to identify the profile of the participants, the characteristics of bodybuilding and other body practices and the Motives Scale for practicing physical activity (MPAM-R). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. 60% of the public has higher education, 80% identify with white skin color and 50% of the public is retired. In addition to bodybuilding, some participants performed other body practices, of which Pilates had the highest prevalence (30%), as well as 80% had company during physical activities. Regarding the reasons related to the practice of bodybuilding, the health domain was highlighted as the main reason (M=6.9; SD=0.3), followed by the fun and leisure factor (M=5.6; SD=0 ,9). It is concluded that the practice of bodybuilding by elderly people is motivated by extrinsic (health) and intrinsic (fun/leisure) factors.