Relationship between physical activity and functional capacity change in aged cohort in São Paulo, Brazil.

Objectives: to evaluate the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and functional capacity change among aged people.

Methods: we analyzed data of an aged cohort looking for determinants of functional capacity at follow-up. Baseline data were collected between 2007 and 2008 - average follow-up of 3,5 years. A full multivariate linear regression model was built to evaluate functional capacity at the end of the follow-up, controlling for functional capacity at baseline, sociodemographic, health and behavioral characteristics and amount of leisure-time physical activity in the period.

Results: final model showed functional capacity independently correlated with age (p<0.001), body mass (p=0.013) and the number of activities of daily living compromised at baseline (p<0.001). Functional capacity improved with increased physical activity but loss statistical significance after adjustments (p=0.384).

Conclusions: functional capacity decreases with increased age, increased loss of functional capacity at baseline and increased body mass. Albeit a non-significant association, leisure-time physical activity appears as an important modifiable factor.