Motivação à prática de atividades físicas por adultos da meia idade e idosos em uma academia de Vera Cruz- RS.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aims to identify the main reasons that lead middle-aged adults and elderly people of both sexes to join a regular program of physical activity at a gym center in the city of Vera Cruz / RS. The analyzed sample is composed by 84 individuals, from which 58 are females and 26 are males, aged from 40 to 74 years old, living in the city of Vera Cruz / RS. In order to perform the data collection of the subjects, a survey composed by 56 questions was applied, called Motivational Inventory to the Regular Practice of Physical Activity - IMPRAF-126. The results obtained with the data analysis show that the main factor attributed to the regular practice of physical activities in the gym, is related to the health dimension, and that being physically healthy was the most quoted aspect by both sexes, followed by the pleasure that Physical activity produces, and later by the aesthetic dimension. It is concluded that the motivational factors attributed to the regular practice of gymnastic activity are associated to health for both sexes.