DETERMINING FACTORS AFFECTING OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL OF OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objective: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the physical and psychological conditions of the elderly. This study was planned to determine the factors affecting the physical activities of elderly individuals living in Turkey.
 Method: In this study, frailty level (Fragility Scale), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]), physical activity level (PASE Questionnaire), kinesiophobia (TAMPA Scale), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Scale) of elderly individuals were evaluated by a structured Google survey. Regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting the level of physical activity.
 Results: While 52% of the participants (28% male; 72% female; mean age: 69.34±15.03 years) stated that they were less physically active, 93% stated that their social participation decreased during the pandemic process. The mean physical activity score was 89.12±55.33 (the highest score was calculated for indoor activities: 32.00±21.34; the lowest score was calculated for work-related activities: 2.10±6.33). Kinesiophobia score was 41.44±7.39. Approximately half of the participants were in the category of “guarantees a comprehensive assessment for depression”, while 18% were in the category of “suggesting depression” and 30% were in the category of “no depression” (GDS mean score: 14.41±6.01). In addition, it was determined that 29% of the elderly had severe anxiety, 25% had moderate anxiety, and 24% had mild anxiety. The mean frailty score was 2.09±1.69 (normal 19%; pre-fragile 53%; frail 28%). According to univariate linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis, the most factors affecting the level of physical activity were age, BMI score, fear of movement and fragility.
 Conclusion: The results obtained from this study showed that the physical activity level of the elderly decreased in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, increasing age, BMI score, kinesiophobia and fragility caused a decrease in the physical activity level of the elderly. These findings suggest that health policy makers and health care providers should organize appropriate care plans for the elderly after the pandemic period.