Abstract
The aimed to evaluate the effects of low and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on psychological well-being (PWB) and quality of life (QoL) among older people. Forty-five male Iranian adults aged 65–80 years were selected according to the eligibility criteria and randomly assigned to a low-intensity group (LIG) (40–50% of maximum heart rate), moderate-intensity group (MIG) (60–70% of maximum heart rate) and control group (CG). The exercise protocols consisted of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise (two sessions per week). Psychological well-being and QoL were assessed through the Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale and the World Health Organization QoL Questionnaire. The statistical analysis for psychological well-being indicated that a significant main group (between-group) (F = 11.777, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.359), time (within-group) (F = 58.983, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.584) and interaction effect (group × time) (F = 20.146, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.490) for PWB total score. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the PWB total score in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.003) and CG (p < 0.001). Results for PWB components including self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, autonomy, purposeful life, and environmental mastery revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05). While there was a significant difference between the groups for personal growth component. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the personal growth in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.028) and CG (p < 0.001). Result for QoL indicated significant differences for the main group (F = 13.277, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.387), time (F = 25.533, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.378) and interaction effect (F = 9.992, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.332) for QoL total scale. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the QoL total scale in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.003) and CG (p < 0.001). Results for QoL components including Physical health, Social relationships, Health environment revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05), while there was a significant difference between the groups for the Psychological health component. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the Psychological health in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.009) and CG (p = 0.002). Therefore, aerobic exercise improves PWB and QoL in older adults, moderate-intensity exercise seems to produce higher benefits than low-intensity, demonstrating a positive dose-response relationship.
Highlights
During the last century, modern societies have faced a demographic change toward an increase in the aging population [1]
The statistical analysis indicated that there was not a significant main group effect (F; 1.42 = 1.207, p = 0.309, ηp2 = 0.054), but it was significant for the time (F; 1.42 = 8.442, p = 0.006, ηp2 = 0.167) and interaction effect (F; 1.42 = 4.113, p = 0.023, ηp2 = 0.164) for self-acceptance (Table 2)
The statistical analysis indicated there was not a significant main group (F = 2.267, p = 0.116, ηp2 = 0.097), and interaction effect (F = 2.319, p = 0.111, ηp2 = 0.099), but it was significant for the time (F = 8.750, p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.172) for positive relationships with others
Summary
Modern societies have faced a demographic change toward an increase in the aging population [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) discovered that 60–85% of people in the world lead sedentary lifestyles, making it one of the most serious community health concerns in western countries [7]. With such foresight, WHO encourages all health authorities in different countries to increase public awareness in this area and is pursuing a comprehensive approach to conducting research with common goals in different countries. An inactive lifestyle is increasingly is the main cause of most chronic diseases [8] and has been made worse since the Covid-19 pandemic [9, 10]
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