A Importância dos programas de atividade física para pessoas idosas na atenção primária à saúde: uma revisão integrativa.

Abstract

Population aging in Brazil represents one of the main challenges for public health. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2022, more than 31 million people were aged 60 or older, representing 14.7% of the Brazilian population. Projections indicate that this percentage will exceed 25% by 2060. In this context, promoting active and healthy aging has become a strategic priority, with physical activity being one of the main tools to strengthen autonomy, prevent health conditions, and improve the quality of life of older adults. Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a central role in this process by offering structured programs and interprofessional actions that encourage healthy habits in everyday community life. This study aimed to map the influence of actions promoting physical activity on healthy aging, quality of life, and autonomy of older adults followed by PHC services. It is an integrative literature review. The search for studies was conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, with an update in June 2025, in order to identify recent publications that could be included in the review. The databases used were the Virtual Health Library (BVS), MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. The search strategy involved combining controlled descriptors in Portuguese and English related to “Older Adults,” “Physical Activity,” and “Primary Health Care.” A total of 115 articles were initially identified. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 10 studies were selected for the final analysis. Data were organized using Thematic Content Analysis, according to. The results showed that 90% of the studies used quantitative methodologies, predominantly with cross-sectional and descriptive designs. Only 10% adopted a qualitative approach. Overall, regular physical activity was found to promote improvements in physical functionality, mental and emotional health, cognition, and quality of life of older adults. It was also observed that programs offered in Primary Care Units (UBS) strengthen community bonds and encourage user engagement, especially when conducted by eMulti teams. However, the studies also highlighted challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, low user adherence, lack of trained professionals, and the absence of systematization of these actions in the daily routine of PHC services. It is concluded that physical activity programs within PHC are a powerful strategy for promoting healthy aging, provided they are aligned with public policy guidelines and implemented in a welcoming, continuous manner, and sensitive to local realities. This requires structural investments, continuous professional development, intersectoral actions, and encouragement of community participation, ensuring equitable access and expanding the effectiveness of care for older adults