Assessment of Quality of Life in a Physical Exercise Group in Primary Health Care

Abstract

This article’s main objective was to assess individuals’ well-being by encouraging the practice of physical exercise as a tool to improve quality of life. The research was conducted in an exploratory and comparative manner, using a cross-sectional design during September and October 2022. The sample consisted of 29 participants from the “Quality of Life” group at a Basic Health Unit in a rural area (Tauá, CE, Brazil). Quality of life was assessed using the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) and a socioeconomic questionnaire. The results indicate that women of different age groups seek to improve their quality of life through physical exercise, underscoring the importance of adapting specific practices and actions to meet this population’s diverse needs. Analysis of the SF-12 revealed that 58.6% of participants considered their health to be good. However, 17.2% faced difficulties performing daily activities, with 27.6% citing stair climbing as a major challenge. Additionally, 41.4% reported performing fewer tasks than they would have liked, 31% reported work-related limitations, and 37.9% experienced occupational restrictions. These findings highlight the importance of targeted strategies to enhance quality of life, especially by promoting physical activities-taking into account the unique circumstances and specific challenges faced by this population.