[Effectiveness of a social-physical activity intervention program in an elderly social risk population]

The objective is to assess the effectiveness of a social-physical activity intervention program in the improvement of the health-related quality of life and functional physical condition of patients older than 65 years at social risk.

Quasi-experimental intervention (pretest-posttest).

Community activity; primary care and public education centres.

Twenty-nine patients older than 65 years, seen at the health centre, with a diagnosis of social risk. The program included monthly health education sessions and two weekly sessions of one hour of exercise for 6 months. Measurements were taken before and at the end of the study. Outcome variables were: quality of life valued using the SF36 questionnaire and functional fitness through Senior Fitness Battery Test.

After intervention improved all tests for the physical qualities improved after the intervention; in the 6-minutes walk all subjects improved from baseline, with an average increase of 62 +/- 36 metres (95% CI: 48-76). The SF-36 questionnaire improved 8 scales and mental summary component with a further increase of 6 points (P < .05).

Social-physical activity intervention program improved the health-related quality of life related and functional physical condition in older people at social risk. This paper provides evidence in favour of the implementation of social-physical community activities, coordinated between health services and education centres, aimed at the elderly at risk.