Envelhecimento e dança : percepção dos idosos do grupo Nova Vida em Aracaju-SE

Abstract

The present study had as objective to reflect on the perception of the elderly of the Nova Vida group regarding the dance activity performed at the Risoleta Neves Reference Center for Social Assistance (CRAS) in the city of Aracaju / SE. The aging process is a natural phase of the human being that presents changes in the health and social life of the elderly. In this sense, Silva et al (2011, p. 165) affirm that the "[...] aging process leads to a biopsychosocial decline of the individual characterized by a decrease in the functional reserves of the organism."The study on dance and its relationship with aging is justified in order to identify the perception of the elderly in relation to the possible benefits derived from this activity.Bibliographic and field research. Data collection was done using a semi-structured script to conduct interviews with 11 elderly people in the months of may and june of 2017. The research is exploratory-descriptive type of qualitative and quantitative character and adopted the critical dialectical perspective for the analysis of the data collected. the subjects mentioned in the interviews mentioned that after the weekly performance of the dance activity they noticed some beneficial changes in the body, namely: cardiovascular system, blood circulation, improvements in body expression, respiratory capacity, among others -the most willing; in addition to these benefits, dance is an activity that has been accepted by these elderly people for triggering changes in emotional issues, such as increased self-esteem, decreased anxiety and stress, and stimulated social interaction. It was verified that the weekly practice of dance allowed the elderly people of the Nova Vida group the knowledge of new people, strengthening bonds of friendship, interaction and socialization, which contribute to an active aging in their physical, emotional and social aspects.