[Health, pain and daily activities among elderly people practicing Lian Gong and sedentary elderly people]

It is a well-known fact that the practice of physical activity on a regular basis among elderly people contributes to the prevention and reduction of pain, as well as promote active ageing. Based on this premise, the scope of this study was to evaluate the presence of chronic pain among elderly people attended in a primary health care unit in a city in the interior of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, by comparing those who practice Chinese gymnastics (Lian Gong) and the sedentary. Sixty elderly people were divided between 30 sedentary and 30 who participate in a group practicing Lian Gong. The presence of pain was assessed through the Nordic Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Symptoms, already adapted and validated for Brazilian culture. When questioned about pain in the last seven days, the Lian Gong group showed a higher presence (62,3%) of pain when compared to the sedentary group, although they had fewer difficulties in performing daily activities (55,5%). Among the active elderly the presence of lower back pain was statistically inferior (p < 0.05) when comparing the groups. The practice of Lian Gong was associated to a more positive perception of one's health, less use of medicines, as well as the adopting of self-care practices and the feeling of fewer impairments in performing daily activities.