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Demand diagnosis in physical activity for health in the guayaquil older adult

Abstract:

Introduction: Diagnosis is an essential preliminary step that characterizes the phenomenon studied, helping in understanding and subsequent decision making related, in present case study, in demand for elderly physical activities. Objective: to diagnose the demand for physical activities in elderly in Febres Cordero Parish of Guayaquil City. Methods: Twenty-six elderly adults of Febres Cordero Parish were studied in Guayaquil, Ecuador (56.5% population; age range 65-70 years), establishing the previous inclusion criteria and applying a diagnostic survey, as well as another survey of eight physical education teachers with ex-ante evaluation. Results: There is an insufficiency in counseling and support of community and family factors towards the physical activity practice, being this significant (p = 0.0001), as well knowledge of elderly on the functional aspects related to physical activity (p = 0.000). On the other hand, the most common causes of non-attendance of older adults in physical-recreational practices are lack of awareness of physical activity programs for health in their parish (84.6%), lack of awareness of the importance of this activity (76.9%), disposition to practice in the morning hours (53.8%) and the correct use of diet and medication (50%), among others. Conclusions: There is insufficient knowledge about the importance and potential of physical activity for health, the existence of little disposition towards physical activity, low level of participation in related activities and lack of a coordinated program in the parish.