Lack of physical activity may be harmful for the human body leading to structural alterations and functional deterioration, as well as to accelerated aging and increase in morbidity and mortality. Despite the fact that the harmful effects of inactivity and the positive effects of physical activity are well known and have been well documented, sedentarity remains a frequent component of the lifestyle in old people. Therefore it is necessary to reduce the prevalence of sedentarity, remov- ing its causes if present and implementing programs of physical activity, which has proven capable of reducing the risk of mortality and favourably influencing the course of many chronic disease.
Keywords: Elderly, sedentarity, morbility, mortality, exercise