Physical Education Syllabus: a proposal focusing elderly people

Abstract

The aging process is the sum of several factors, and thus, with the passing of years the body’s wearing becomes inevitable making the human being more susceptible to diseases. In face of this, the practice of physical exercises becomes essential in all stages of life, especially in the old age when there is a loss of physical aptitude and health becomes debilitated. The main objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge that undergraduates have about the aging process, and to know the importance of including in the curricular grid specific contents for the elderly. This research has a descriptive character and the sample was constituted of male and female undergraduates aged between twenty and thirty-five years, in their last year of Physical Education course. For the collection of data, a questionnaire containing semi-structured questions was employed. The results indicated that there is no specific discipline dealing with the aging process, but the majority of undergraduates feel capable of serving an elderly person who seeks physical exercises because of their previous practice with this age group. On the other hand, the undergraduates also consider, as the elderly population is growing, that to have a specific discipline focused on the elderly is of paramount importance. Therefore, the study concluded that, to advance in the service of the needs and limitations of the elderly, it is interesting that the Physical Education professional dedicates some of his time to the study of this specific issue so that their work is based upon knowledge. Such studies should be initiated during Physical Education graduation courses.