Do Older Adults Engaged in a Community-Based Exercise Program Have Better Mental Health Indicators? A Static Group Comparison Study in a Brazilian Regional Area

¿Tienen los adultos mayores que participan en un programa de ejercicio basado en la comunidad mejores indicadores de salud mental? Un estudio comparativo de grupos estáticos en un área regional brasileña

Published 2025-05-05

Open | Download
HTML Icon XML Icon PDF Icon Flip Icon
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025)
Section
Research Article
How to Cite
1.
Cavalcanti MVB, Nascimento PFM do, Oliveira L dos S. Do Older Adults Engaged in a Community-Based Exercise Program Have Better Mental Health Indicators? A Static Group Comparison Study in a Brazilian Regional Area. Rev. Investig. Innov. Cienc. Salud [Internet]. 2025 May 5 [cited 2025 Jun. 27];7(2):1-14. Available from: https://riics.info/index.php/RCMC/article/view/407
DOI

https://doi.org/10.46634/riics.407
Dimensions
PlumX
license
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Matheus Vitor Beserra Cavalcanti
Escola de Ensino Superior do Agreste Paraibano
Roles:  
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9803-3099
Paula Ferreira Mendes do Nascimento
Inclusive Physical Education
Roles:  
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0778-1086
Leonardo dos Santos Oliveira
Escola de Ensino Superior do Agreste Paraibano
Roles:  
Perfil Google Scholar
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7485-105X
Show authors biography

Matheus Vitor Beserra Cavalcanti,

Escola de Ensino Superior do Agreste Paraibano (EESAP); Guarabira; Brazil.

Paula Ferreira Mendes do Nascimento,

Inclusive Physical Education; João Pessoa; Brazil.

Leonardo dos Santos Oliveira,

1 Escola de Ensino Superior do Agreste Paraibano (EESAP); Guarabira; Brazil.

2 Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB); João Pessoa; Brazil.

Introduction. The evidence on the effectiveness of community-based exercise program (CBEP) on psychological distress among older adults appears unclear, especially in developing countries.

Objective. To compare the mental health of older adults engaged in an 8-week CBEP with a physically inactive control group living in a Brazilian regional area.

Method. In a static group comparison design (a single post-exposure measure), older adult women engaged in a community-based exercise program [CBEP, n = 24, mean (SD), age: 67 (9) years, BMI: 27.7 (5.1) kg/m2] and a physically inactive control group [PIC, n = 30, mean (SD), age: 69 (6) years, BMI: 29.5 (3.4) kg/m2] participated of this study. The CBEP was conducted 3x/wk for 8 weeks, with Pilates activities (90 min/wk), water-aerobic exercises (90 min/wk) and Brazilian capoeira (120 min/wk). Self-report data on sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and indicators of stress, anxiety and depression (DASS-21 scale) were assessed to provide a posttest to both the experimental group and the comparison group.

Results. The Welch ANOVA showed lower levels of anxiety (Cohen’s d = 2.9), depression (Cohen’s d = 4.2) and stress (Cohen’s d = 3.5) in the CBEP group compared to the PIC group (P<0.001). Likewise, the psychological distress was statistically lower for the CBEP group (Cohen’s d = 3.9, P<0.001).

Conclusion. Compared to their physically inactive counterparts, female older adults who participate in a CBEP have the best mental health indicators.

Article visits 166 | PDF visits 103

  1. Dogra S, Dunstan DW, Sugiyama T, Stathi A, Gardiner PA, Owen N. Active aging and public health: Evidence, implications, and opportunities. Annu Rev Public Health [Internet]. 2022;43:439-59. doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052620-091107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052620-091107
  2. Zager Kocjan G, Avsec A, Kavčič T. Feeling too low to be active: Physical inactivity mediates the relationship between mental and physical health. Soc Sci Med [Internet]. 2024;341:116546. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116546 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116546
  3. Segal DL, Qualls SH, Smyer MA. Aging and mental health. 3rd ed. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell; 2018. 480 p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119133186
  4. Henríquez J, Henríquez W, Méndez Muñoz R, Ibinarriaga T, Mabe-Castro D, Mabe-Castro M, et al. Cognitive impairment and anxiety in older adults: Characterizations in a high southern latitude population. Rev Investig Innov Cienc Salud [Internet]. 2025;7(1):1-11. doi: https://doi.org/10.46634/riics.326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46634/riics.326
  5. Dempsey PC, Friedenreich CM, Leitzmann MF, Buman MP, Lambert E, Willumsen J, et al. Global public health guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior for people living with chronic conditions: A call to action. J Phys Act Health [Internet]. 2021;18(1):76-85. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0525 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0525
  6. Nascimento PFM, Silva RS, Rodrigues Neto G, Oliveira LS. Treinamento multicomponente e de força melhoram saúde mental e qualidade de vida de idosos. EFDeportes [Internet]. 2024;29(311):71-82. doi: https://doi.org/10.46642/efd.v29i311.7460 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46642/efd.v29i311.7460
  7. Fien S, Linton C, Mitchell JS, Wadsworth DP, Szabo H, Askew CD, et al. Characteristics of community-based exercise programs for community-dwelling older adults in rural/regional areas: A scoping review. Aging Clin Exp Res [Internet]. 2022;34(7):1511-28. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-022-02079-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-022-02079-y
  8. Baker PR, Francis DP, Soares J, Weightman AL, Foster C. Community wide interventions for increasing physical activity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 2015;1(1):Cd008366. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008366.pub3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008366.pub3
  9. Bopp M, Fallon E. Community-based interventions to promote increased physical activity: A primer. Appl Health Econ Health Policy [Internet]. 2008;6(4):173-87. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03256132 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03256132
  10. Quirk H, Crank H, Harrop D, Hock E, Copeland R. Understanding the experience of initiating community-based physical activity and social support by people with serious mental illness: A systematic review using a meta-ethnographic approach. Syst Rev [Internet]. 2017;6:214. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0596-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0596-2
  11. Tweed LM, Rogers EN, Kinnafick FE. Literature on peer-based community physical activity programmes for mental health service users: A scoping review. Health Psychol Rev [Internet]. 2021;15(2):287-313. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2020.1715812 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2020.1715812
  12. Lim H, Jani NDB, Pang WT, Lim ECW. Community-based exercises improve health status in pre-frail older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr [Internet]. 2024;24(1):589. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05150-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05150-7
  13. Maki Y, Ura C, Yamaguchi T, Murai T, Isahai M, Kaiho A, et al. Effects of intervention using a community-based walking program for prevention of mental decline: A randomized controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc [Internet]. 2012;60(3):505-10. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03838.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03838.x
  14. Muscari A, Giannoni C, Pierpaoli L, Berzigotti A, Maietta P, Foschi E, et al. Chronic endurance exercise training prevents aging-related cognitive decline in healthy older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry [Internet]. 2010;25(10):1055-64. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.2462 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.2462
  15. Flores-Bello C, Correa-Muñoz E, Sánchez-Rodríguez MA, Mendoza-Núñez VM. Effect of exercise programs on physical performance in community-dwelling older adults with and without frailty: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Geriatrics [Internet]. 2024;9(1):1-18. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9010008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9010008
  16. Teixeira do Amaral V, Fernandes B, Ngomane AY, Marçal IR, Zanini GS, Ciolac EG. Short-term community-based exercise programs in low-income older women: Does exercise intensity and modality matters? Exp Gerontol [Internet]. 2021;156:111591. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111591 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111591
  17. Tada A. Psychological effects of exercise on community-dwelling older adults. Clin Interv Aging [Internet]. 2018;13:271-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S152939 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S152939
  18. Anexo I. Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde (PNPS). Portaria de ConsolidaÇÃO nº 2, de 28 de Setembro de 2017. Diário Oficial da União (Oct 3, 2017). Available from: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2017/prc0002_03_10_2017.html#ANEXOI
  19. Silva AG, Guerreiro CS, Malta DC. Meta‐evaluation of studies on community physical activity programs in Brazil. Int J Health Plann Manage [Internet]. 2023;38(1):252-64. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3585 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3585
  20. Silva AG, Prates EJS, Malta DC. Evaluation of community physical activity programs in Brazil: A scoping review. Cad Saude Publica [Internet]. 2021;37(5):e00277820. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00277820 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00277820
  21. Becker L, Gonçalves P, Reis R. Programas de promoção da atividade física no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro: Revisão sistemática. Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física e Saúde [Internet]. 2016;21(2):110-22. doi: https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.21n2p110-122 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.v.21n2p110-122
  22. Creswell JW, Creswell JD. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. 5th ed. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications; 2018. 304 p.
  23. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) [Internet]. Rio de Janeiro: Serviços e Informações do Brasil; c2024. Cities and States; 2024 [cited 2023 Dec 12]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.ibge.gov.br/en/cities-and-states.html?view=municipio
  24. Sanchez C, Grzenda A, Varias A, Widge AS, Carpenter LL, McDonald WM, et al. Social media recruitment for mental health research: A systematic review. Compr Psychiatry [Internet]. 2020;103:152197. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152197 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152197
  25. Matsudo S, Araújo T, Matsudo V, Andrade D, Andrade E, Oliveira LC, et al. Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ): Estudo de validade e reprodutibilidade no Brasil. Rev Bras Ativ Fis Saúde [Internet]. 2001;6(2):5-18. Available from: https://rbafs.org.br/rbafs/article/view/931
  26. Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behav Res Ther [Internet]. 1995;33(3):335-43. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U
  27. Vignola RCB, Tucci AM. Adaptation and validation of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) to Brazilian Portuguese. J Affect Disord [Internet]. 2014;155:104-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.031
  28. Santos AO. Capoeira Arte-Luta Brasileira. Cascavel: Assoeste; 2001. 173 p.
  29. Levin K. Aesthetics of hyperactivity: A study of the role of expressive movement in ADHD and capoeira. Am. J. Dance Ther. [Internet]. 2016;38:41-62. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-016-9211-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-016-9211-7
  30. Campos JADB, Martins BG, Campos LA, Marôco J, Saadiq RA, Ruano R. Early psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: A national survey. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2020;9(9):1-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9092976 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9092976
  31. Danielsen KK, Øydna MH, Strömmer S, Haugjord K. “It’s more than just exercise”: Tailored exercise at a community-based activity center as a liminal space along the road to mental health recovery and citizenship. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2021;18(19):1-18. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910516 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910516
  32. Huang TT, Liu CB, Tsai YH, Chin YF, Wong CH. Physical fitness exercise versus cognitive behavior therapy on reducing the depressive symptoms among community-dwelling elderly adults: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud [Internet]. 2015;52(10):1542-52. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.05.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.05.013
  33. Fattore GL, Amorim LD, Santos LM, Santos DN, Barreto ML. Personal-level and group-level discrimination and mental health: The role of skin color. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities [Internet]. 2018;5(5):1033-41. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-017-0451-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-017-0451-0
  34. Suárez-Iglesias D, Miller KJ, Seijo-Martínez M, Ayán C. Benefits of pilates in parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicina [Internet]. 2019;55(8):1-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55080476 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55080476
  35. Pereira MJ, Mendes R, Mendes RS, Martins F, Gomes R, Gama J, et al. Benefits of pilates in the elderly population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ [Internet]. 2022;12(3):236-68. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12030018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12030018
  36. Aladro-Gonzalvo AR, Machado-Díaz M, Moncada-Jiménez J, Hernández-Elizondo J, Araya-Vargas G. The effect of pilates exercises on body composition: A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther [Internet]. 2012;16(1):109-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2011.06.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2011.06.001
  37. Khazaei M, Marszałek J, Aminzadeh R, Dehghani E, Azizi B. Benefits of pilates exercises on functional fitness and quality of life in older men: A quasi-experimental study. Balt J Health Phys Act [Internet]. 2024;16(1):3. doi: https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.16.1.03 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.16.1.03
  38. Jackson M, Kang M, Furness J, Kemp-Smith K. Aquatic exercise and mental health: A scoping review. Complement Ther Med [Internet]. 2022;66:102820. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102820 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102820
  39. Neiva HP, Faíl LB, Izquierdo M, Marques MC, Marinho DA. The effect of 12 weeks of water-aerobics on health status and physical fitness: An ecological approach. PLoS One [Internet]. 2018;13(5):e0198319. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198319 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198319
  40. Del Bianco M, Lovecchio N, Pirazzi A, Gatti A, Pellino VC, Cucco L, et al. Self-reported physical activity level, emotions, feelings and self-perception of older active women: Is the water-based exercise a better enhancer of psychophysical condition? Sport Sci Health [Internet]. 2023;19:1311-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01094-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01094-4
  41. Andersen MH, Ottesen L, Thing LF. The social and psychological health outcomes of team sport participation in adults: An integrative review of research. Scand J Public Health [Internet]. 2018;47(8):832-50. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494818791405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494818791405
  42. Zimmer C, McDonough MH, Hewson J, Toohey AM, Din C, Crocker PRE, et al. Social support among older adults in group physical activity programs. J. Appl. Sport Psychol. [Internet]. 2023;35(4):658-79. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2022.2055223 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2022.2055223
  43. Oh S, Lim JM, Kim Y, Kim M, Song W, Yoon B. Comparison of the effects of water- and land-based exercises on the physical function and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly people with history of falling: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Arch Gerontol Geriatr [Internet]. 2015;60(2):288-93. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2014.11.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2014.11.001
  44. Moreira SR, Teixeira-Araujo AA, Santos AO, Simoes HG. Ten weeks of capoeira progressive training improved cardiovascular parameters in male practitioners. J Sports Med Phys Fitness [Internet]. 2017;57(3):289-98. doi: https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06030-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06030-8
  45. Moreira SR, Oliveira AC, Armstrong A. Capoeira: Hypothesis on health rehabilitation and quality-of-life maintenance. Rev Assoc Med Bras [Internet]. 2022;68(11):1530-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20220360 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20220360
  46. Moreira SR, Carvalho FO, Moraes JFVN, Carvalho RGS, Araújo RC, Teixeira-Araújo AA, et al. Eight weeks of capoeira progressive training program increases flexibility of beginners. Sport Sci Health [Internet]. 2016;12:329-37. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0292-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0292-y
  47. Lima Júnior JCC, Sampaio JMF, Silva KT, Goncalves RM, Sousa SM, Macedo LR, et al. O ensino da capoeira: aspectos motivacionais que estimulam adesão à modalidade no município de Crato, Estado do Ceará, Brasil. Res Soc Dev [Internet]. 2020;9(8):e700096390. doi: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i8.6390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i8.6390
Publish with RIICS

Scimago

Most read in the last 30 days

Sistema OJS 3.4.0.7 - Metabiblioteca |