Fragility and quality of life, the benefits of physical activity for the elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-136
Author(s):  
Julien Vejux ◽  
Solenn le Bruchec ◽  
Valérie Bernat ◽  
Gérard Beauvais ◽  
Nathalie Beauvais ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Magdalena Pracka ◽  
Marcin Dziedziński ◽  
Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski

AbstractIn recent years have seen increasing percentage of the elderly in the overall population. This has driven the attention to the lifestyle factors that influence the health and quality of life of this social group, including their nutrition and physical activity. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a valuable platform for the dissemination and broadening of the knowledge related to these topics. The nutritional habits of 61 U3A students in Poznań were evaluated on the basis of a modified KomPAN questionnaire. Their nutritional status was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) indices. Nearly half of the respondents were overweight and 16% had first degree obesity. The WHR index in women was on average 0.8, while in men it was 1.01. Only 13% of the students declared regular eating, with 60% consuming 4-5 meals a day. Women were found to eat snacks between meals more often than men. It was also found that the majority of the elderly do not add salt to ready meals or sweeten beverages with sugars. Taking into account the observed nutritional problems and the occurrence of improper eating habits of the elderly, it is recommended to continue the education on the prevention of common diet-related diseased.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Martinez Orlando ◽  
Maria Stella Peccin da Silva ◽  
Império Lombardi Junior

INTRODUCTION: Ageing has become a huge public health challenge due to the need to find solutions for improving quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess quality of life, muscle strength, balance and physical capacity among elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 74 elderly individuals in the city of Santos (state of São Paulo, Brazil), divided into two groups: practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for the classification of the participants. The generic SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. The Berg scale was used for the analysis of balance. Dynamometry was used for the muscle strength test. The six-minute walk test was used for the assessment of physical capacity. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity regarding quality of life (p = 0.001), muscle strength (p = 0.001), balance (p = 0.001) and physical capacity (p = 0.001). The data also showed that aspects of quality of life were strongly correlated with physical capacity among the non-practitioners of physical activity (r = 0.741). CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals in the city of Santos (Brazil) who practice physical activity have better quality of life, muscle strength, physical capacity and balance in comparison to those who do not practice physical activity.


2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alseny Balde ◽  
Jaime Figueras ◽  
Dawn A. Hawking ◽  
John R. Miller

Lack of physical activity is an increasing public-health problem. Physicians should counsel elderly patients to maintain regular physical activity in order to retain functionality and quality of life. This study examined the patterns of physician advice about physical activity in an elderly population. A homogeneous group of older adults living in public housing (N= 146) was surveyed to determine the extent to which they received such advice. Their mean age was 77.9 ± 7 years, 74% were women, 70.5% were White, and 53.4% had high school education or less. We assessed the association between physician counseling practices and the participants’ demographic characteristics, overweight status, and type of physical activity performed. The prevalence rate of physician counseling was 61.6%. Elderly men who were married and those who were overweight were most likely to receive advice. Routine physician counseling of elderly patients regardless of overweight status could contribute to improving their quality of life.


Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 126-129
Author(s):  
Francisco Salinas Martínez ◽  
Armando Cocca ◽  
Kamal Mohamed ◽  
Jesús Viciana Ramírez

Realizamos un análisis del estado actual de las personas mayores en relación con la actividad física y el sedentarismo, éste último aspecto convertido en la actualidad como una de las principales fuentes de amenaza para la salud pública de los países europeos y americanos. Damos a conocer los efectos negativos de la inactividad física sobre los parámetros cardiovasculares, diabetes, depresión y cáncer, entre otros. Mostramos los beneficios de la actividad física (herramienta clave para solucionar los problemas propios del sedentarismo) para la salud de este colectivo de la población; al tiempo que estudiamos las razones por las que las personas mayores acuden a los programas de actividad física. Finalmente, aportamos una serie de conclusiones.Palabras clave: Actividad Física. Calidad de Vida. Personas mayores. Salud. Sedentarismo.Abstract: We analyzed the current status of the elderly in relation to physical activity and sedentary, the latter now become a major source of threat to public health in the European and American countries. We report the negative effects of physical inactivity on cardiovascular parameters, diabetes, depression and cancer, among others. We show the benefits of physical activity (a key tool to solve the problems of the sedentary lifestyle) for the health of this group of the population while we study the reasons why older people attend physical activity programs. Finally, we provide a number of conclusions. Keywords: Physical Activity. Quality of Life. Elderly. Health. Sedentary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 450
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Merrill ◽  
Daniel Khan ◽  
Alexandra E. Richards ◽  
Maziyar A. Kalani ◽  
Naresh P. Patel ◽  
...  

Background: Among the elderly, chronic subdural hematoma is a relatively common neurosurgical condition. Presenting symptoms range from headache and focal neurological deficits to seizure and coma depending on location and extent of brain compression. Functional recovery following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma is central to quality of life and ongoing health for elderly patients; however, there is a paucity of data regarding functional recovery in this population. Methods: In this study, the physical activity of patients who underwent surgical evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma was surveyed, as well as participation in physical therapy following surgery. In total, 38 patients completed the survey. Results: Of the 30 patients who exercised regularly before surgery, 28 (90.3%) returned to exercise within 1 year after surgery. Of 13 patients who reported playing hobby sports before surgery, 9 (69.2%) returned to those sports. 17/38 (44.7%) patients participated in physical therapy after surgery. 35/38 (92.1%) of patients reported that the surgery improved their quality of life. Conclusion: The majority of patients who underwent surgery for chronic subdural hematoma were able to return to exercise within 1 year. Participation in physical therapy was associated with return to exercise and sports. Further study is needed to determine which factors contribute to a return to baseline levels of physical activity following surgery for chronic subdural hematoma.


2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margareth Guimarães Lima ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros ◽  
Chester Luiz Galvão César ◽  
Moisés Goldbaum ◽  
Luana Carandina ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between health-related behaviors and quality of life among the elderly. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out including 1,958 elderly living in four areas in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, 2001/2002. Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36-Item Short Form Health Survey instrument. This instrument's eight subscales and two components were the dependent variables. Independent variables were physical activity, weekly frequency of alcohol consumption and smoking. Multiple linear regression models were used to control for the effect of gender, age, schooling, work, area of residence and number of chronic conditions. RESULTS: Physical activity was positively associated with the eight SF-36 subscales. The stronger associations were found for role-physical (β=11.9), physical functioning (β=11.3) and physical component. Elderly individuals who consumed alcohol at least once a week showed a better quality of life than those did not consume alcohol. Compared to non-smokers, smokers had a poorer quality of life for the mental component (β=-2.4). CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption and no smoking are positively associated with a better quality of life in the elderly.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Pruner Marques ◽  
Ione Jayce Ceola Schneider ◽  
Eleonora d'Orsi

Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the association between changes in social relations and physical activity on the quality of life of the elderly in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Data on 1,197 elderly from two waves of the population and household survey, EpiFloripa Idoso, were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was performed to estimate association of social change variables and lifestyle on quality of life score (QoL; measured by CASP-16 Brazil, score can range from 0, which represents no QoL to 48, total satisfaction in all domains of CASP). The average QoL score in the sample was 37.6 (95%CI: 37.2; 38.1). The social relations that were associated with positive QoL score were to start to work, to continue to use the Internet, to start participating in religious or lifestyle groups, to remain and to become physically active, and for those who were physically active, but became inactive in the second wave. To remain living with family had a negative effect on QoL score for the elderly. Some changes in social relations had a positive effect on QoL, and results reaffirmed the importance of physical activity to healthy aging, since to pursue it in some of the waves was better than to remain inactive.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cezar Grontowski Ribeiro ◽  
Fátima Ferretti ◽  
Clodoaldo Antônio de Sá

Abstract Objective: To analyze quality of life (QOL) according to level of physical activity among elderly persons living in rural (RA) and urban (UA) areas. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study, analyzing 358 elderly residents of RA and 139 of UA, in the municipal region of Palmas, Paraná, Brazil was performed. Quality of life, level of physical activity and economic condition were evaluated. For the analysis of the continuous variables, the student’s t-test or the Mann-Whitney test were used, based on the normality or otherwise of the data. Pearson's chi-squared or Fischer’s exact test were used to analyze the categorical variables. Results: The general perception of QOL reported in RA was better than in UA (p<0.05). The analysis of the level of physical activity according to place of residence showed that the elderly are more physically active in RA (p<0.05), whereas insufficiently active or sedentary subjects prevail in UA. The variables age and gender were not associated with QOL (p>0.05), irrespective of place of residence, and active elderly persons had better QOL scores than insufficiently active or sedentary individuals, again irrespective of place of residence (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that QOL is positively influenced by both maintaining satisfactory levels of physical activity and by residing in RA. It is important to establish public policies aimed at ensuring a more active and independent old age, thus generating greater health and quality of life.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Giovanni Carta ◽  
Giulia Cossu ◽  
Elisa Pintus ◽  
Rosanna Zoccheddu ◽  
Omar Callia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Aging is marked by a progressive rise in chronic diseases with an impact on social and healthcare costs. Physical activity (PA) may soothe the inconveniences related to chronic diseases, has positive effects on the quality of life and biological rhythms, and can prevent the decline in motor functions and the consequent falls, which are associated with early death and disability in older adults. Methods We randomized 120 over-65 males and females into groups of similar size and timing and will give each either moderate physical activity or cultural and recreational activities. Being younger than 65 years, inability to participate in physical activity for any medical reason, and involvement in a massive program of physical exercise are the exclusion criteria. The primary outcome measures are: quality of life, walking speed, and postural sway. Participants are tested at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month (24 weeks) and 12-month (48 weeks) follow-ups. Discussion This study aims at improving the quality of life, wellness, and cognitive functioning in the elderly through a low-cost affordable program of moderate physical activity. Given the growing aging of the world population and the social and economic burden of disability in the elderly, our results might have a major impact on future practices. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03858114. Registered on 28 February 2019.


2021 ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Endang Sri Wahyuni ◽  
Retna Febri Arifiati

ABSTRACT Background: The increase in the number of elderly people needs to be balanced with increased expectations and quality of life. One of the causes of the low quality of life of the elderly is influenced by a lack of physical activity. Efforts that can be made to improve the quality of life of the elderly are by doing physical activity or exercising regularly. This study aims to determine the effect of physical activity on the quality of life of the elderly. Methods: This type of research is quantitative, pre-experimental with one group pretest-posttest design, using purposive sampling technique. The research instrument was the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The research subjects were 30 people. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon test. Results: As many as 80% of the subjects were in the age range 66-74 years, 26 subjects were women (53.3%), the latest education was dominated by Bachelor 43.4%. As many as 76.7% are retired civil servants, 70% still have a partner, 26.7% live with a partner and children, and 66.7% are healthy elderly without a history of disease. The results show a positive value and an increase in the mean in each domain. The asymptotic significance values of the pre-post Wilcoxon ranking test on the domain of physical and environmental conditions were 0.000 and 0.003 on psychological conditions and social relationships. Conclusion: The provision of physical activity interventions in the form of flexible exercise for the elderly has a significant impact on improving the quality of life of the elderly.


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