Correlação entre aptidão física, depressão e risco de suicídio em idosos

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The compromised quality of life of the elderly has affected this population causing some diseases such as depression, which manifests for various reasons that are independent of age. The rate of depression in this population has raised concern specifically because it is an age where subjects depend heavily on their families and close people, where sometimes the disease is not noticed and many end up committing suicide believing it is the best way to resolve the situation. Objective: To verify the suspicion of depression, the risk of suicide and to correlate with physical fitness in elderly participants of the Academy of the Best Age. Sample: 24 elderly were selected, 20 women and 4 men who practiced physical exercise for at least three months and at least twice a week. This paper presents the nature of quantitative and qualitative data through three questionnaires with open and closed questions, as well as a functional test battery that assessed the physical fitness of the elderly. Results: The correlation between the tests of physical fitness, depression and suicide risk were weakly correlated, however the values found show that suspected depression and suicide risk are moderately associated. Conclusion: Although the correlations do not necessarily indicate cause and effect, the findings seem to indicate that there are relationships between the variables. It can be observed that physical exercise and socialization directly influence the studied variables.