Benefits of Physical Literacy and Gymnastics for Physical Education of Older Adults and Seniors

Abstract

The quality of life of the elderly is becoming a serious problem of contemporary society. Low level of physical literacy of this group of citizens does not encourage their need for exercise, it does not motivate to physical activity and to the change of lifestyle. The aim of the paper is to select and organize the knowledge about the concept and the direction of physical education of older adults and seniors, to define the conceptual content of physical literacy in education, to provide an example of a possible way to differentiate the offer of education for each age category and to present the appropriate proposal of movement and gymnastics programs for a selected population group. As a method of solution of the issue has been selected questionnaire and interval scaling. The questions in questionnaire survey were selected with regard to the appropriateness of defined gymnastic exercises involved in the concept of physical literacy. The questions were answered by 28 experts, university teachers. Descriptive statistics were used for the classification and analysis of the obtained data. The greatest impact responses gained Importance of exercises for correct body posture and basic locomotion were in responses stated as the most important, followed by realisation of the movements of the body and its parts, orientation in space and balance exercises. In the area of knowledge safety of physical activity, the execution of the movement and the importance of prevention and health benefits reached nearly 90%. Into the content of physical literacy of older people and seniors were selected five groups of inventories of gymnastic activities: body posture, locomotion, balance, flexibility and handling skills. Physical education of elderly population should be oriented to the optimal level of health focused fitness, acquiring specific skills, strengthening of resilience, well-being and social cohesion.