Perspectivas da educação física para a população idosa

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To characterize: i) the role of physical education in the elderly population; ii) the programs and physical exercise proposals that have been used in Brazil in the last 10 years; and iii) the perspectives of physical education in the elderly population. DESIGN: Literature review and abstracts of Annals since 2007 conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO and Scholar-Google databases through the following descriptors: physical exercise, physical education, life expectancy, years of a healthy life, among others. Books with scientific content were also consulted. Afterward, a critical analysis was performed on the studies found in descriptive text. CONCLUSION: Physical education has recognized relevance in aging, and new perspectives are established in the political and social empowerment in health promotion in the elderly. Physical activity programs need to widen opportunities and evidence of effectiveness/effectiveness results.