Sociodemographic profile, index of functional autonomy and physical activity level of

elderly women1
Perfil sociodemográfico, índice de autonomía funcional y nivel de actividad física de
las ancianas
Perfil sociodemográfico, índice de autonomia funcional e nível de atividade física de
idosas

[Research Article]

Rafaela Cristina Araújo-Gomes2

Cleberson Franclin Tavares Costa3
Karollyni Bastos Andrade Dantas4
Lúcio Flávio Gomes Ribeiro da Costa4
Mariane Azevedo Barreto5
José Maria Moya Morales6
Estélio Henrique Martin Dantas2,4,5

Received: August 16, 2023

Accepted: October 29, 2023

Cite as:

Araújo-Gomes, R. C., Tavares Costa, C. F., Bastos Andrade Dantas, K., Gomes Ribeiro da
Costa, L. F., Azevedo Barreto, M., Moya Morales, J. M., & Martin Dantas, E. H.
(2023). Perfil sociodemográfico, índice de autonomía funcional y nivel de actividad
física de las ancianas. Cuerpo, Cultura Y Movimiento, 14(1).
https://doi.org/10.15332/2422474X.9868

1
Research Article. No financing. https://portal.unit.br/labimh/ . Universidade Tiradentes
(UNIT). Aracaju (SE). Brazil.
2
Postgraduate Program in Nursing and Biosciences – PPgEnfBio, at the Federal University
of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.
3
Psychology Course, at Universidade Tiradentes (UNIT), Aracaju (SE), Brazil.
4
Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment – PSA, at Universidade Tiradentes
(UNIT), Aracaju (SE), Brazil.
5
Medicine Course, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Aracaju (SE), Brazil.
6
Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain.
Abstract

To analyze the sociodemographic profile, functional autonomy index and level of physical
activity of elderly women participating in an exercise program. 372 elderly women
participating in the MASTERFITTS program and completed questionnaires regarding medical
history and the adapted Baecke questionnaire to assess the level of physical activity in
elderly. Tests from the GDLAM protocol were performed to evaluate functional autonomy.
̅ = 2.68±0.49; ∆% = 1.09), and the majority achieved a good
51.61% were physically active (X
classification in the tests and overall functional autonomy index. A significant difference was
found in the W10m test (p= 0.041; ∆% = -0.89), RSP (p= 0.024; ∆% = -1.90), and RVDP
(p= 0.032; ∆% = -1.20) between the active and sedentary groups. An increase in the level of
physical activity will also lead to a decrease in the completion times of the functional
autonomy assessment tests, contributing to improved health.

Keywords: personal autonomy, aged, physical exercise, health profile, functional physical
performance.

Resumen

Analizar el perfil sociodemográfico, el índice de autonomía funcional y el nivel de actividad

física de ancianas participantes de un programa de ejercicio. 372 ancianas participantes del
programa MASTERFITTS respondieron cuestionarios sobre antecedentes médicos y un
cuestionario de Baecke adaptado para evaluar el nivel de actividad física en ancianas. Se
realizaron pruebas del protocolo GDLAM para evaluar la autonomía funcional. El 51.1%
eran físicamente activos (X ̅ = 2.68±0.49; ∆% = 1.09), y la mayoría obtuvo una buena
clasificación en las pruebas y en el índice general de autonomía funcional. Se encontró
diferencia significativa en la prueba C10m (p= 0.041; ∆% = -0.89), LPS (p= 0.024; ∆% = -
1.90) y LPDV (p= 0.032; ∆% = -1.20) entre activos y sedentarios grupos. El aumento del
nivel de actividad física también puede conducir a la disminución de los tiempos de
realización de las pruebas de evaluación de la autonomía funcional, contribuyendo para la
mejora de la salud.

Palabras clave: autonomía personal, anciano, ejercicio físico, perfil de salud, rendimiento
físico funcional.
Resumo

Analisar o perfil sociodemográfico, índice de autonomia funcional e nível de atividade física

de idosas participantes de programa de exercícios. 372 idosas participaram do programa
MASTERFITTS e responderam ao questionário sobre histórico médico e o questionário
Baecke adaptado para avaliar o nível de atividade física em idosos. Foram realizados testes
do protocolo GDLAM para avaliar a autonomia funcional. 51.61% eram fisicamente ativos
(X ̅ = 2.68±0.49; ∆% = 1.09), e a maioria obteve boa classificação nos testes e índice geral
de autonomia funcional. Foi encontrada diferença significativa no teste C10m (p= 0.041; ∆%
= -0.89), LPS (p= 0.024; ∆% = -1.90) e LPDV (p= 0.032; ∆% = -1.20) entre os ativos e
sedentários. O aumento do nível de atividade física levará também à diminuição dos tempos
de realização dos testes de avaliação da autonomia funcional, contribuindo para a melhoria
da saúde.

Palavras-chave: autonomia pessoal, idoso, exercício físico, perfil de saúde, desempenho

físico funcional.
Introduction

With the aging of the population and the increase in global life expectancy, the elderly
segment has become the fastest-growing age subgroup in the world. However, this fact raises
concerns about the increasing prevalence of frailty and functional dependence, as well as
rising healthcare costs. Additionally, there are several age-related changes in the body that
contribute to this phase of life (Mendonça et al., 2020).
Aging is a natural process associated with numerous changes in different biological
systems, such as reduced muscle strength, decreased lean mass and bone mineral density,
and concomitant increases in body fat, which collectively can negatively affect the health
and physical fitness functioning of older individuals, regardless of the presence or absence
of diseases (Graça et al., 2022; Palencia-Flórez et al., 2021; Sousa et al., 2021).
Neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and metabolic impairments are some examples of
changes that can lead to a scenario conducive to the development of diseases, lower quality
of life, and increased risk factors for mortality (Graça et al., 2022; Palencia-Flórez et al.,
2021; Rodríguez y Barón, 2019).
In this context, physical activity programs have been prioritized and implemented in
the Unified Health System, with the aim of expanding and improving primary healthcare,
contributing to the promotion of health and quality of life, as well as increasing levels of
physical activity and socialization, and being associated with balance control benefits (Vieira
et al., 2022).
However, despite the existence of programs that contribute to improving the quality
of life of this population, some elderly individuals still face difficulties in performing
activities, as other factors take priority in addition to functional and psychological
difficulties. Factors such as stress and symptoms of chronic diseases are directly associated
with these difficulties. It is worth noting that some of these chronic diseases are more
prevalent in elderly women and contribute to higher rates of disability (Sousa et al., 2021;
Souza et al., 2022; Palencia-Flórez et al., 2021; Rodríguez y Barón, 2019).
Given this, it is considered important to define the health profile of these elderly
individuals, including sociodemographic characteristics, activity level, and functional
capacity. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the sociodemographic
profile, functional autonomy and level of physical activity of elderly women participating in
an exercise program, while also comparing functional autonomy between active and
sedentary individuals.

Methods
This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive and quantitative approach (Thomas,
Nelson & Silverman, 2012).
The data used in this study were obtained from the diagnostic evaluation of the
MASTERFITTS project, which aims to provide a supervised physical exercise program for
health and well-being.
The participants were elderly individuals recruited during visits to the Basic Health
Units in the following neighborhoods of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil: Aeroporto, Atalaia, Coroa
do Meio, Farolândia, Inácio Barbosa, and Jardins.
The participants were asked to come to the Laboratory of Human Motor Biociences
with the following documents: 1) Medical certificate authorizing them to engage in physical
exercise; 2) Referral from their respective Basic Health Unit; 3) Identification and Individual
Taxpayer Registry (CPF) documents.
The selection criteria were: being 60 years old or older and committing to participate
in a physical exercise program by signing an informed consent form, having the ability to
walk, and not having motor limitations or comorbidities that would prevent participation in
the exercises.
After applying these criteria, 372 elderly women participated in the study.
Data collection took place in August 2022. Initially, a medical history was taken to
characterize the participants' sociodemographic profile. The physical activity level
questionnaire was also administered, followed by tests to assess functional autonomy.
To determine the physical activity level of the participants, the adapted Baecke
questionnaire for habitual physical activity in older adults was used. This instrument consists
of questions that should be answered considering the past 12 months, in relation to three
domains: household activities, sports, and leisure activities (Ueno, 2013).
To analyze the total score of the physical activity level calculated by the
questionnaire, the second quartile, or median, of the sample was used as the dividing point,
identified as 2.01 (score). Thus, all scores below this value were classified as sedentary, while
equal to or above this value were classified as active.
To assess functional autonomy, the protocol developed by the Latin American
Development Group for Maturity (GDLAM) was used. This protocol evaluates the functional
autonomy of older adults through a battery of five tests: walking 10 meters (W10m), rising
from the sitting position (RSP), Rising from ventral decubitus position (RVDP), putting on
and taking off a t-shirt (PTTs), and sitting and rising from a chair and walking around the
house (SRCW). These tests are combined in the following formula to calculate the general
index of functional autonomy (GI) (Dantas et al., 2014):
GI: [(W10m+RSP+RVDP+PTTs) *2] +SRCW
4
All tests are measured in seconds, and there are reference times for each test,
appropriate for each age group, as well as for the GI (score). Table 1 presents the age
classification for each test and the GI (Dantas et al., 2014).

Table 1. Classification of the functional autonomy of elderly people (≥ 60 years).

Tests Age (years) Very Good Good Regular Insufficient
(60-64) < 5.52 5.52 - 7.04 7.05 - 8.92 > 8.92
(65-69) < 5.67 5.67 - 7.21 7.22 - 9.04 > 9.04
W10m
(70-74) < 5.83 5.83 - 7.38 7.39 - 9.16 > 9.16
(s)
(75-79) < 5.98 5.98 - 7.56 7.57 - 9.28 > 9.28
(≥ 80) < 6.14 6.14 - 7.73 7.74 - 9.40 > 9.40
(60-64) < 6.84 6.84 - 10.12 10.13 - 13.62 > 13.62
(65-69) < 6.91 6.91 - 10.19 10.20 - 13.72 > 13.72
RSP
(70-74) < 6.97 6.97 - 10.26 10.27 - 13.81 > 13.81
(s)
(75-79) < 7.04 7.04 - 10.33 10.34 - 13.91 > 13.91
(≥ 80) < 7.11 7.11 - 10.40 10.41 - 14.01 > 14.01
(60-64) < 2.30 2.30 - 3.52 3.53 - 5.41 > 5.41
(65-69) < 2.47 2.47 - 3.81 3.82 - 5.80 > 5.80
RVDP
(70-74) < 2.63 2.63 - 4.11 4.12 - 6.20 > 6.20
(s)
(75-79) < 2.80 2.80 - 4.40 4.41 - 6.60 > 6.60
(≥ 80) < 2.96 2.96 - 4.70 4.71 - 6.99 > 6.99
PTTs (60-64) < 8.22 8.22 - 11.45 11.46 - 15.51 > 15.51
(s) (65-69) < 8.75 8.75 - 12.00 12.01 - 16.04 > 16.04
 (70-74) < 9.29 9.29 - 12.54 12.55 - 16.56 > 16.56
(75-79) < 9.83 9.83 - 13.08 13.09 - 17.08 > 17.08
(≥ 80) < 10.36 10.36 - 13.63 13.64 - 17.60 > 17.60
(60-64) < 35.17 35.17 - 42.37 42.38 - 49.68 > 49.68
(65-69) < 35.96 35.96 - 43.28 43.29 - 50.81 > 50.81
SRCW
(70-74) < 36.76 36.76 - 44.19 44.20 - 51.94 > 51.94
(s)
(75-79) < 37.55 37.55 - 45.11 45.12 - 53.06 > 53.06
(≥ 80) < 38.35 38.35 - 46.02 46.03 - 54.19 > 54.19
(60-64) < 22.28 22.28 - 27.43 27.44 - 33.01 > 33.01
(65-69) < 22.82 22.82 - 28.10 28.11 - 33.71 > 33.71
GI
(70-74) < 23.37 23.37 - 28.77 28.78 - 34.41 > 34.41
(score)
(75-79) < 23.91 23.91 - 29.45 29.46 - 35.11 > 35.11
(≥ 80) < 24.46 24.46 - 30.12 30.13 -35.81 > 35.81
Subtitle: W10m= walking 10 meters; RSP= rising from the sitting position; RVDP= Rising from ventral
decubitus position; PTTs= putting on and taking off a t-shirt; SRCW= sitting and rising from a chair and
walking around the house; GI= functional autonomy index. Source: Dantas et al. (2014).

The Microsoft Office Excel 2016® software was used for data tabulation, as well as
for presenting percentages, mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values of the
results, and calculation of body mass index and IG from the GDLAM protocol.
The research also utilized the BioStat 5.3® software, adopting a significance level of
p<0.05 with a 5% error rate. Descriptive statistics were performed using mean, standard
deviation, maximum and minimum values. Normality of the data was assessed using the
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and the independent samples t-test was used to compare the
variables of the GDLAM protocol between the active and sedentary groups.
The study complied with Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council, dated
December 12, 2012, which establishes the guidelines for conducting Research with Human
Subjects. As a preliminary measure, approval was obtained from the Coordination of the
Center for Continuing Health Education to allow access to the Basic Health Units.
Subsequently, each unit received an Institutional Information Statement, specifying all
procedures, risks, and precautions.
Each participant voluntarily expressed their consent by signing the Informed Consent
Form, which included a thorough explanation of the risks and benefits, as well as the social
relevance of the research with advantages for the study subjects, particularly the elderly
individuals.
The research was preliminarily approved by the Ethics Committee on Research with
Human Subjects of Tiradentes University on March 26, 2020, according to legal opinion no
3,936,886 - CAAE: 26524719.4.0000.5371.

Results
Table 2 presents the descriptive data for the variables age, weight, height, body mass
index (BMI), and functional autonomy index (GI) of the participants, including mean values,
standard deviations, maximum and minimum numbers.

Table 2. Descriptive data of age, weight, height, body mass index and GI of functional
autonomy of the volunteers.
VARIABLES MEAN SD N MAX. N MIN.
Age (years) 68.45 6.44 84.00 60.00
Weight (kg) 63.88 12.36 89.00 40.00
Height (m) 1.51 0.07 1.71 1.41
2
BMI (kg/m ) 28.12 4.98 41.85 19.84
GI (score) 28.83 3.82 41.04 23.62
Subtitle: BMI – body mass index; GI – general index of functional autonomy; kg- kilograms; m- meters; SD-
standard deviation; N- number; MAX.- maximum; MIN. - minimum. Source: own authorship.

Table 3 displays the sociodemographic data of the participants collected through

anamnesis, presented as absolute numbers and corresponding percentages.

Table 3. Sociodemographic data of the volunteers.

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC DATA n = 372
AGE GROUP N %
60 – 69 years 240 64.51
70 – 79 years 120 32.26
80 years or older 12 3.23
RACE
White 132 35.48
Black 48 12.90
Mixed 192 51.62
 MARITAL STATUS
Single 168 45.16
Married 120 32.26
Widow 84 22.58
EDUCATION LEVEL
Never studied / Incomplete Elementary School 120 32.26
Complete Primary Education 84 22.58
Complete High School 132 35.48
Graduated 36 9.68
DAILY ACTIVITY
Take care of the family 156 41.94
Works and takes care of the family 96 35.48
Retired 132 22.58
MONTHLY FAMILY INCOME
Up to 2 minimum wages 216 58.06
2a4 60 16.13
4 a 10 12 3.23
Prefer not to say 84 22.58
HISTORY OF CHRONIC DISEASES IN THE FAMILY
Yes 288 77.42
No 84 22.58
PRE-EXISTING CHRONIC DISEASES AND USE OF
CONTROLLED MEDICATION
Have illnesses or use controlled medicine 324 87.10
Does not have illnesses or uses prescription drugs 48 12.90
STRESS SELF-CONTROL
Terrible / Bad 72 19.35
Regular 168 45.17
Good / Excellent 132 35.48
SMOKER
Do not smoke 348 93.55
Up to 10 cigarettes/day 24 6.45
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS / WEEK
Do not drink 312 83.87
Up to 5 per week 60 16.13
From 5 to 9 per week 0 0,00
Subtitle: N- number of participants; %- percentage. Source: own authorship.
 By analyzing the results of the GDLAM protocol tests for functional autonomy, it
was possible to classify the participants for each test and for the overall IG based on the
execution time of the tests and the age range. These data can be observed in Table 4, showing
absolute numbers and respective percentages.
Table 4. Classification of the volunteers' functional autonomy.

GDLAM Tests Classification N %

Insufficient 36 9.68
Regular 132 35.48
W10M (s)
Good 204 54.84
Very Good 0 0.00
Insufficient 72 19.35
Regular 120 32.26
RSP (s)
Good 180 48.39
Very Good 0 0.00
Insufficient 48 12.91
Regular 96 25.80
RVDP (s)
Good 192 51.61
Very Good 36 9.68
Insufficient 36 9.68
Regular 72 19.35
SRCW (s)
Good 204 54.84
Very Good 60 16.13
Insufficient 84 22.59
Regular 96 25.80
PTTs (s)
Good 192 51.61
Very Good 0 0.00
Insufficient 24 6.45
Regular 168 45.16
GI (score)
Good 180 48.39
Very Good 0 0.00
Subtitle: GDLAM- Latin American Development Group for Maturity; N- number of participants; %-
percentage; s – seconds; W10m= walking 10 meters; RSP= rising from the sitting position; RVDP= Rising
from ventral decubitus position; PTTs= putting on and taking off a t-shirt; SRCW= sitting and rising from a
chair and walking around the house; GI= functional autonomy index. Source: own authorship.
 The data on the division of the group based on the total score calculation for the level
̅ = 2.68±0.49) and 180 were
of physical activity indicated that 192 volunteers were active (X
̅= 1.59±0.27), ∆% = 1.09, p = 0.0001.
sedentary (X

Table 5 presents the results for the comparison of functional autonomy between the
groups of active and sedentary elderly participants.

Table 5. Comparative assessment of functional autonomy between groups of active

and sedentary volunteers.
Active Group (n=192) Sedentary Group (n=180)
Variables
Mean SD Mean SD p-value
W10 m (s) 6.92 0.60 7.87 0.80 0.041
RSP (s) 10.11 1.81 12.01 2.10 0.024
RVDP (s) 3.19 0.61 4.39 0.71 0.032
SRCW (s) 43.42 3.54 47.41 5.20 0.088
PTTs (s) 10.72 1.69 11.05 1.78 0.667
GI (score) 27.98 2.85 29.52 3.20 0.261
Subtitle: N- number of participants; SD – standard deviation; s – seconds; W10m= walking 10 meters;
RSP= rising from the sitting position; RVDP= Rising from ventral decubitus position; PTTs= putting
on and taking off a t-shirt; SRCW= sitting and rising from a chair and walking around the house; GI=
functional autonomy index. Bold numbers indicate a p-value <0.05. Source: own authorship.

Discussion
Table 3, which refers to the data collected in the anamnesis, shows that the highest
concentration of participants was in the age group of 60 to 69 years (64.51%). It is common
for younger older adults to be the majority in physical activity programs or to be more
physically active, as older individuals are more likely to be affected by physical limitations
due to chronic pain, for example, which diminishes their possibilities for practice (Ferretti
et al., 2019; Sousa et al., 2022). Another variable that showed predominance was self-
reported mixed race with 48.39%, justified by Brazil's miscegenation, where the majority
(47.00%) of people in Brazil self-declare as mixed race (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e
Estatística [IBGE], 2022a).
Regarding marital status, in the present study, the majority of the sample identified as
single (45.16%). These data can be corroborated by civil registration statistics, which not
only show that people, in general, are getting married less, but also that when they are
married, the duration of marriages is shorter, indicating an increase in divorce rates (IBGE,
2019).
In terms of the participants' educational attainment in the research, the majority had
completed high school (35.48%), which aligns with data from the National Continuous
Household Sample Survey - Education, which demonstrates that as individuals get older,
their educational attainment decreases. Older adults account for 18% of the illiteracy rate in
Brazil, although this percentage has been decreasing since 2016 (IBGE, 2020).
It was found that 41.94% of the evaluated sample had the occupation of taking care
of the house and family on a daily basis, a common scenario among older adults, as they are
represented in lower percentages in the workforce, as recorded, for example, in 2021, where
older adults accounted for only 8.7% of the overall workforce. Additionally, 42.6% of the
population outside the workforce in 2021 (unemployed) were older adults (IBGE, 2021).
Therefore, this percentage of older adults of working age who are out of the workforce may
indicate that a portion of them is likely engaged in their daily household tasks and family
care.
Another point observed in the present study was the monthly family income, indicated
by the majority (58.06%) as being up to 2 minimum wages, which aligns with the average
monthly household income in Brazil, which is US$ 283.00 (IBGE, 2022b). This average
monthly family income is concerning, as only 14.9% of households have only one resident,
meaning that this average income in other households is divided among other individuals
(IBGE, 2022a). Furthermore, an interesting fact is that in 2018, it was reported that 20.6% of
households had at least 50% of their income coming from older adults, which corresponded
on average to a 69.8% financial contribution within the household. Of these, 56.3% were
pension and/or retirement income, meaning that even though older adults are out of the
workforce, they still contribute significantly to monthly household income (IBGE, 2018).
Regarding chronic diseases, 77.42% reported having a family history, and 87.10%
had pre-existing conditions requiring medication use. This presented scenario is justifiable,
as 52% of the population aged 18 years and older have some type of chronic disease, and
74.9% of older adults have at least one chronic disease requiring continuous medication for
treatment (Camarano, 2022).
 Aging can lead to an increase in stress levels, which can be caused by trauma, threats,
difficulty in adaptation, tragedies, or other internal and external factors that can trigger stress
and its associated health implications, such as anxiety and depression. In this sense, it is
important for older adults to work on their self-control so that they can reduce or mitigate the
emotional impact caused by stress-inducing situations (Moura, 2021). In relation to this, in
the present study, the majority of older women reported that they considered their level of
stress self-control to be regular (45.16%), followed by good/excellent (35.48%). However,
there is still room for improvement, as controlling stress, through practices such as regular
physical activity, is important for the prevention, promotion, and/or maintenance of various
health variables.
Regarding smoking and alcoholism, it was found that 93.55% were non-smokers and
83.87% did not consume alcoholic beverages, data supported by a study (Barbosa et al.,
2018) that also identified a low prevalence of these types of consumption among the
evaluated older adults, which is relevant considering that the use of these substances,
especially when combined, is associated with health problems and a lower quality of life.
Regarding the assessment of functional autonomy, it was possible to observe that the
majority of participants had a good classification in the tests (C10M - 54.84%; LPS - 48.39%;
LPDV - 51.61%; LCLC - 54.84%; VTC - 51.61%) and IG (48.39%). Participants in a study
(Sousa et al., 2022) also underwent an evaluation of functional performance, revealing that
43.7% of older adults showed low functional physical performance, which contradicts the
findings of the present study and may be associated with the more active lifestyle of the
population surveyed.
Although the level of physical activity was found to be higher among active older
women (51.61%), this percentage is not significant when compared to sedentary individuals
(48.39%). However, these results are organized in this way because the median of the
calculated scores was used as a cutoff point. Furthermore, since this evaluation was
conducted prior to the start of an exercise program, some volunteers had no prior practice,
while others had already participated in the program in the previous semester. In this regard,
studies (Sousa et al., 2022; Vieira et al., 2022; Christoph et al., 2017; Grace et al., 2021;
L’Gamiz-Matuk et al., 2014) affirm that the level of physical activity is directly related to
the level of functional physical performance.
 In the comparison between the variables of the GDLAM protocol for the groups of
active and sedentary older women (Table 5), it was found that the C10m test (p= 0.041; ∆%
= -0.89), LPS test (p= 0.024; ∆% = -1.90), and LPDV test (p= 0.032; ∆% = -1.20) showed
statistically significant differences, indicating that more active individuals have better
performance in activities of daily living that rely on lower limb strength, which is the most
demanding physical capacity among these tests. However, these three tests in the protocol
rely less on coordination, balance, and agility. Higher levels of physical activity will also
lead to better functional physical performance, highlighting the importance of regular
participation of older adults in physical activity programs (Sousa et al., 2022; Vieira et al.,
2022; Christoph et al., 2017; Grace et al., 2021; L’Gamiz-Matuk et al., 2014).
Limitations of this study include the lack of inclusion of more health variables to be
evaluated, which could contribute to the generalization of the presented data and the
characterization of the health profile of older women participating in the exercise program.
Therefore, it is suggested that future research includes the evaluation of additional variables.

Conclusion
The participants in this study were mostly in the age range of 60 to 69 years old, self-
reported mixed-race ethnicity, single, with a high school education, engaged in daily
household and family care, with a monthly family income of up to 2 minimum wages, having
a family history of chronic diseases and pre-existing conditions, using medications, reporting
regular levels of stress self-control, being non-smokers and non-alcohol consumers.
Additionally, the majority had good classification in all tests and the functional autonomy
index (IG). In terms of comparing the variables of the GDLAM protocol, only the C10m,
LPS, and LPDV tests showed statistically significant differences in favor of the active group.
Overall, the obtained data suggest that with an increase in the level of physical
activity, variables such as stress control and reduced completion times in the GDLAM
protocol tests tend to undergo significant positive changes, converging towards the
maintenance and/or improvement of multiple health variables. Therefore, the importance of
regular participation of this population in physical activity programs is emphasized.
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