Abstract
Osteoarticular diseases are one of the effects of aging, and they are related to physical, psychological, and social functions. Physical activity seems to slow the start and progression of these kinds of illnesses and presents benefits for psychosocial health. The main aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of physical activity level (Yale Physical Activity Survey) on quality of life (SF-36 Health Questionnaire), subjective psychological well-being (Psychological Well-being Scale), and depression levels (Geriatric Depression Scale), depending on osteoarticular illness. The sample consisted of 263 Spanish adults aged 65 to 98 years who had high or low physical activity (assessed by YPAS Questionnaire) and osteoarticular disease. Results show that physical activity influences the perceived quality of life, depression levels, and subjective well-being in older adults regardless of osteoarticular disease. The present study suggests the need for promoting physical exercise due to its proven positive impact on older adults’ mental health, entailing a significant reduction in the risks of suffering from a variety of frequent diseases and disorders.
Highlights
The aging process generates important changes in lifestyle, and it has significant repercussions for disease prevalence and the quality of life
The main aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of physical activity levels on quality of life, on subjective psychological well-being, and on depression levels in a sample of Spanish older adults, in which some suffer from osteoarticular illness and others do not
They were classified as Higher Activity Level and Lower Activity Level based on the average of the Total Physical Activity Index (TPALI) obtained through the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS)
Summary
The aging process generates important changes in lifestyle, and it has significant repercussions for disease prevalence and the quality of life. Aging generates physiological changes in the osteoarticular system due to daily use and sequelae left by diseases and accumulated traumas throughout life [2] Osteoarticular diseases are those that affect bones, cartilage, tendons, and/or joints—temporary or permanent—and that cause mild, moderate, or severe disability [3], with the highest prevalence in older adults [4]. These pathologies are responsible for decreasing physical activity and for increasing falls and fractures, which contributes to loss of autonomy for daily activities and increases mortality and demand for public health services [5,6]. Psychological and social effects are other consequences of aging, affecting mood states, anxiety, depression, and the risk of suffering neurodegenerative diseases where the physical function plays an important role in its development [9]
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