Ação interdisciplinar com a utilização de exercícios físicos lúdicos na melhoria da autonomia funcional de idosos institucionalizados.

The objective of this study was to describe the experiences of interdisciplinary action with the application of physical exercises and activities with ludic groups to improve the functional autonomy of institutionalized elderly. This is a qualitative study showing experience reports of an extension program carried out in a Long Stay Institution for the Elderly for eight months, performing interdisciplinary actions, offering physical exercises and recreational group activities for 30 elderly people of both genders: nine men aged between 76 and 88 years, and 21 women aged between 66 and 78 years. There were 60 sessions held over eight months. There was an improvement in the gait of the elderly and an improvement of 50% in the strength of the upper limbs for throwing objects. The practice of physical exercises, in a group, in a playful way, provided greater interaction between the elderly and their caregivers, and between the elderly and the scholarship holders. Thus, the intervention "proposal" with ludic groups and physical exercises brings positive results, becoming necessary and urgent in order to obtain greater independence and functional autonomy in this phase of life in institutionalized elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]