The relationship between pain and physical activity in older adults that begin a program of physical activity

Abstract

There is no doubt that the population is progressively aging. This study evaluates the relationship between the variables of the level and type of physical activity and the degree of pain, with a series of socio-demographic variables, such as age, gender, civil status and occupation. The final selection of the sample, composed of 564 participants, with an average age of 61.05 years and an age range between 40 and 88 years from the province of Almeria, Southern Spain, was made by a sampling technique intended to provide a natural composition with a criterion of inclusion, that is to say, people aged 40 or older. Various measuring instruments were chosen (pain scale and questionnaire) to collect the variables selected. The results indicated that 80.9% of the participants presented with a moderate degree of pain, the cervical area and knees being the structures most affected. On the other hand, 73.2% of the sample population habitually carried out physical and sporting tasks, with no differences according to gender, but showing differences according to age and occupation. The most common activities were walking (88.64%) and keep fit (25.65%). There was no correlation between physical activity and the degree of pain. The main conclusions highlight the need to create exercise and health protocols and programmes with a multidisciplinary approach, adapted to the individual needs of each person and the promotion of the construction of new, modern sporting facilities in rural areas so that people may enjoy better sporting opportunities.