The aim of this study was to develop instructions for using accelerometers to measure physical activity in Brazil. This manuscript is a review and synthesis of scientific papers that have used accelerometers for objective physical activity assessment in different age groups as well as studies providing directions for using activity monitors in large-scale studies. In this study, we present instructions for the pre-data collection (selection of monitor; unit calibration, firmware update, pilot study, protocol definition), data collection (monitor distribution, contacting participants, monitor return) and post-data collection (data processing, transformation and interpretation) phases. We describe procedures for facilitating decision making related to using accelerometers, as well as for obtaining valid and reliable accelerometer physical activity data. This set of instructions is an initiative of a group of physical activity researchers with the purpose of contributing to methodologically advance the field of objective physical activity measurement in Brazil. The current set of instructions intend to facilitate the standardization of procedures for collecting physical activity data with accelerometers in Brazil and, thus, for ascertaining future comparability of data collected in different studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The number of people aged 80 years or above is increasing worldwide. Considering that most such longevous people are physically inactive, and that this is a major risk for the appearance of different diseases and body pains, the regular practice of physical activities may favor the health of such population. So, this study aimed at evaluating pain perception as a barrier for the practice of regular physical activities by physically inactive longevous women. METHODS: This is a descriptive-qualitative research involving 30 physically inactive longevous women, participating in the Familiarity Groups for elderly people from Florianópolis, SC, who participated in five focus groups according to the sanitation division of the city (Center, East, South, North and Continent). Data were treated by content analysis. RESULTS: Inactive women have reported pain in lower and upper limbs, lumbar and/or cervical region and in body in general as factors preventing their practice of regular physical activities. CONCLUSION: The understanding of such pains may help the planning of interventions with longevous people, contributing for actions fostering behavioral changes toward adopting an active lifestyle, which may contribute for a better functional capacity, health conditions and independence of longevous people.

-The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of physical training (PT) on physical fitness and quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). For this purpose, 22 patients were randomly divided into a nonintervention group (control, n=11) and an intervention group (n=11). Patients in the intervention group were submitted to PT (consisting of aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching) during HD, three times/week, for 4 months. Physical fitness was evaluated by the six-minute walk test (T6), respiratory muscle strength (RMS) testing, chair-stand test (CST), and abdominal strength test. The SF-36 was used to evaluate QoL. In addition, a semistructured interview was applied to evaluate the patient's perception of the benefits of PT. After PT, patients in the intervention group showed an increase in the distance walked in the T6 (p<0.004), RMS (inspiratory pressure: p<0.002; expiratory pressure: p<0.001), CST (p<0.001), and abdominal strength test (p<0.001). In addition, improvement of QoL was observed in the following domains: physical functioning (p<0.001), physical role functioning (p<0.003), pain (p<0.04), general health (p<0.02), and emotional well-being (p<0.01). The interviews permitted to divide the patient's perception of the benefits of PT into three categories: physical, psychological, and social benefits. In conclusion, PT improved the physical fitness and QoL of patients on HD as demonstrated by the assessment of the researchers and by the perception of the patients themselves. Key words: Chronic renal failure; Muscle strength; Physical exercise; Rehabilitation. T6 (p<0,004), no TFMR (pressão inspiratória: p<0,002; pressão expiratória: p<0,001); no TSL (p<0,001) e na RML de abdome (p<0,001). A melhora da QV de vida também foi observada, para os domínios funcionamento físico (p<0,001), função física (p<0,003), dor (p<0,04), saúde geral (p<0,02) e bem-estar emocional (p<0,01 Resumo -O objetivo do estudo foi analisar os efeitos do treinamento físico (TF) sobre a aptidão física e a qualidade de vida (QV) de pacientes em hemodiálise (HD). Para isso, 22 pacientes foram divididos aleatoriamente em grupo controle -GC (n=11) e grupo experimental -GE (n=11). O GE realizou TF (constituído por exercício aeróbio, contra resistência e alongamentos) durante a HD, três vezes/semana, por quatro meses. A aptidão física foi avaliada por meio do teste de seis minutos de caminhada (T6); da força muscular respiratória (TFMR); do teste de sentar e levantar (TSL); e da resistência muscular localizada (RML) de abdome. Para avaliar a QV, foi utilizado o SF-36. Além disso, uma entrevista semiestruturada foi aplicada para avaliar a percepção dos pacientes sobre os benefícios do TF. Após o TF o GE apresentou aumento na distância percorrida no

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Introduction: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) improve functional capacity after physical training.