IJCS | Volume 32, Nº6, November / December 2019

560 Table 2 - Peak VO 2 prior to and after training period (12 weeks) Peak VO 2 (ml.kg - 1 .min 1 ) Groups Pre-training Post-training p value Training 23.67 ± 5.18 24.46 ± 5.62 0.06 a Control 23.61 ± 4.86 23.57 ± 4.64 0.95 a Peak VO 2 : maximum oxygen consumption; a: unpaired Student’s t test. Figure 5 - Results of the intersection point between the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and the visual analogue scale (VAS). GDS: geriatric depression scale; VAS: visual analogue scale; TG: training group; CG: control group. contrast, several studies have shown an improvement in QOL of adults undergoingwalking training protocols. 37-39 However, it is worth mentioning that these studies have involved patients with different comorbidities (e.g. hypertension, diabetes), without evaluating other covariates, such as body pain. Also, QOL has not been used as an inclusion criterion. Although different methods were used in the studies, it is of note that our sample showed higher QOL scores (~ 65) compared with other studies, 37 limiting the effects of exercise on these parameters. Besides, evidence has suggested that physical function can be a determining factor in QOL. 38,40 Since aerobic capacity remained unchanged in the present study, it is possible to infer that this phenomenon is associated with the lack of changes in QOL scores. Limitations This study has some limitations that should be consider to contribute to a better inference from the data. First, the lack of specific physical examinations (muscle and fat mass) that could lead to a better understanding of the relationship between walking training and QOL, as well as the inclusion of other exercise groups, walking training strategies and exercise protocols. Conclusions Our findings indicate that a moderate-intensity walking trainingwith three-month duration can improve depressive symptoms and physical pain in elderly individuals without necessarily changing QOL and aerobic fitness. Alabarse et al. Depression and pain in healthy active elderly Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2019;32(6):553-562 Original Article