Influência da caminhada no processo de envelhecimento saudável: revisão integrativa.

Abstract

The world population is aging and this process has been studied more and more not only because of demographic transition, but mainly caused by the consequences. Healthy aging ensures quality of life for the elderly, and depends on many factors, among them the exercise. The walk, to be an inexpensive physical activity, popular, democratic and it does not require large investments would be an alternative to mitigate the problems arising during this phase of life. Objective: To investigate the effect of the hike in the practice of healthy aging process. Method: This is an integrative literature review conducted from the best evidence indexed in the databases of the electronic library Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), the National Library of Medicine database of the United States of America, the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), the Medical Published - service of the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) in April 2015 published articles were used in the period between 2005 and 2015, with the descriptors: "physical activity", "aging", "walk", "physical activity" and "aging, hiking." Subsequently, held close reading and in full twenty-five articles selected and verified the adequacy of the previously established inclusion criteria, only twelve articles were chosen, three from SCIELO, six and three LILACS MEDLINE. Results: Studies have shown that walking at least 150 minutes weekly, continuously improved physical performance of elderly, disabled and prevented improved physical capacity; associated diet reduced body fat and increased lean body mass, reducing cardiometabolic risk. Walk benefited healthy aging, reducing anthropometric variables and improving glycemic profile of elderly diabetics. In relation to other modalities, compared to aerobics and Lian Gong, it was the best exercise for strength in the lower limbs and functional capacity; It was worse for executive functions, planning and inhibitory function in relation to dance. Conclusion: It is noticed that the regular practice of walking is beneficial to healthy aging process and can be prescribed and encouraged in the elderly population. However, there is need for further studies with greater methodological rigor, especially in the male population and related walk with other forms of exercise.