Mulheres em programa regular de atividade física: ansiedade, depressão, fadiga, burnout e qualidade de vida

Abstract

There is much evidence about the positive impact of physical activity on health, including reduction in morbimortality, and improvement in the general wellbeing. Regularly practicing physical activities reduces anxiety, stress, depression and burnout, enhances personal relationships and performance at work, reduces absenteeism and improves quality of life. The objectives of this study were to prospectively assess anxiety, depression, fatigue, burnout and quality of life in individuals before, during, and after their participation in a sixmonth physical activity program conducted at work. Wilcoxon test was used to analyze quantitative variables. A qualitative analysis of the participant s impressions of the program was also performed. Participants: female employees who answered to an advertisement affirming their availability for the program, met inclusion criteria (sedentary women, working 40 hours per week, no health problems, 75% of frequency in the program) and agreed to participate (mean age: 35 years old; SD: 7.5 years). Method: After a physical examination, anamnesis, anthropometrical assessment and testing to obtain heart rate, the participants joined a twice-weekly physical activity program after work that included: walking and/or jogging and localized exercise training (calisthenics exercise). On starting, and after three and six months of the program all participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Chalder Fatigue Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory and a measure of quality of life (QL) SF-36. Additionally, after six months, participants filled out a questionnaire about their participation in the program. Results: 39 participants xvi started the program, 17 remained until at least the third month and 12 completed the six months. Anxiety symptoms decreased from slight to minimal. There was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (p=0.006), in fatigue (p=0.01) and burnout (p=0.02). There was an increase in all aspects of QL, with a significant increase in vitality (p=0.04). Participants who abandoned the program reported they did so because of domestic chores, academic activities and work. The highlighted positive aspects of the program were improved relationship with colleagues, wellbeing, health and benefits at work. Conclusions: Data from the study endorse reported benefits of regularly practicing physical activity. The positive testimonies by the participants and observed benefits, stress the importance of implementing this type of program, which can be conducted in the work place at a low cost.