Male aging symptoms: the positive influence of moderate and total physical activity

Abstract

The aim of the research was to analyze the association of physical activity (PA) intensity and duration with male aging symptoms. This is a cross-sectional study of probabilistic sample involving 416 men from two cities in southern Brazil. Data collection used a questionnaire divided into six parts: sample characteristics; anthropometric measurements; economic level by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE); International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short-version); Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System Questionnaire (BRFSS) and Male Aging Symptoms Scale (AMS). The sample was divided into two groups: with and without male aging symptoms, making use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The presence of male aging symptoms was identified in 61.6% of men, especially somatic and psychological symptoms. Most were considered sufficiently active (60.1%), highlighting men without male aging symptoms (p = 0.026), with a possible effect of moderate and total PA on low-intensity symptoms (p = 0.027; p = 0.015). This study identified relationships between PA duration and intensity and intensity of male aging symptoms. PA practice with specific intensity and duration is suggested in order to obtain health benefits related to male aging symptoms.