RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The population ageing occurring worldwide resulted in multiple researches on sedentary ageing and quality of life. PURPOSE: To verify the effects of a physical activity programme on the quality of life (QOL) of elderly individuals served by a governmental health programme. DESIGN: Descriptive inquiry research. METHODS: Randomly distributing 70 elderly individuals in a control group (n=35; mean±SD 69.80±8.05 years) and an experimental group (n=35; 68.66±5.93 years) plus QOL evaluation via WHOQOL-Old. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant best results on the post-test by repeated-measures ANOVA on sensorial functioning (Δ%=0.022%, p=0. 0001), social participation (Δ%=0.012%, p=0.013), perceptions of death and dying (Δ%=0.04%, p=0.009), intimacy (Δ%=0.059%, p=0.05), and total score (Δ%=0.001, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Sensorial functioning, social participation, perceptions of death and dying, and intimacy play an important role in the positive relationship between physical activity and QOL.