Percepção de barreiras e facilitadores para a prática de atividades físicas ao longo da vida em idosos com deficiência visual

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the barriers and perceived facilitators for the practice of physical activities (PA) throughout life in elderly people with visual impairment (VI). Eight (08) elderly with DV, seven (07) blind people, and one (01) person with low vision, participants of associations and/or projects that develop PAs for this audience were part of the sample group. For data collection, five (05) instruments were used: "Sociodemographic Information Sheet"; "Disability Data Sheet; "Interview Script on Previous and Current PAs"; "Measurement of the perception of Barriers to the Practice of PA" questionnaire; and a "Perception of Facilitators for the Practice of PA" questionnaire. All were applied in the form of an interview, due to the specificity of the sample group. The collected data were recorded, transcribed, and later categorized and evaluated. It can be perceived that the barriers that interfere the most with the practice of PAs are linked to the lack of equipment, lack of companions, and the lack of adequate physical skills and knowledge/guidance about them, while facilitators, which are more numerous, are related to favorable climatic factors, site safety, appropriate facilities and equipment, company and encouragement of close people, stable financial condition, mood, interest, adequate health condition, and professional guidance. It was also observed that the time of coexistence with IV interferes with the practice of PAs, in which those who were born with this condition or acquired it earlier in life have greater ease in staying active when they become old. Concomitantly, the type of disability also influences, so that all elderly people with blindness believe it is easier to have low vision, while the only participant who has low vision has a contrary idea on the subject. Regarding the perception of the origin, four (04) elderly people believe that having congenital deficiency facilitates, while four others (04) point to the IV acquired as something favorable to the practice. Moreover, the continuous performance of PAs throughout life is another factor that contributes to the maintenance of activities during aging. Thus, it is essential that public policies are in place that encourage the practice of activities for this population, which is more vulnerable depending on age and that requires incentive for comorbidities caused by aging to be reduced or minimized, including issues related not only to physical health but also mental and affective health, contributing so that these people can age with a better quality of life. It is also perceived the importance of understanding the factors that hinder or propitiate the practice, so that interventions are carried out in this sense, aiming to increase the number of facilitators in front of the elderly with DV.