Abstract
Background Physical activity is believed to enhance body functions and sense of wellbeing in general population. Objectives This study aimed to explore physical activity measures; and the association between those measures, and mental wellbeing among older adults in South and Southeast Asia. MethodsA systematic search was made in CINHAL, EMBASE, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Articles published between 2008 and 2018 were selected with participants aged 60 years and above, living at home, community, supported housing, or residential care homes, with no diagnosed/limiting illness. Results Five observational and four interventional studies on physical activity were analysed. Depression and sleep quality were the commonest outcome variables. Exercise frequency, regularity, and duration were found to positively impact mental wellbeing. Conclusion Physical activity was generally found protecting against depression and improved sleep quality of older adults from South and Southeast Asia. Future studies should focus on more objective measures of physical activity.
Highlights
IntroductionIs stage in the life cycle is marked by a gradual decline in physical and mental capacity, increased risk of disease and nally death
We only reviewed studies conducted in the last 10 years in order to incorporate relatively recent ndings. erefore, observational or experimental studies conducted between 2008 and 2018 in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries targeted at older adults aged 60 years and above [according to the classi cation of Asian Development Bank (ADB) [15] and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)] [16] were included
Of the 9 articles that were selected for the nal analyses, 7 were conducted in Taiwan and 1 each in Pakistan and ailand as shown in Table 1. e settings of these studies were mostly community ( = 8) and only one was facility-based. e study designs adopted in these studies were cross sectional ( = 3), quasi experimental ( = 3), longitudinal ( = 1), and randomized controlled trial ( = 2)
Summary
Is stage in the life cycle is marked by a gradual decline in physical and mental capacity, increased risk of disease and nally death. Older people have limited regenerative activities but are more prone to the increase in age-related diseases and disabilities, with several social and nancial implications to the individual themselves and to the society. It is estimated that more than 20% of older adults aged 60+ years su er from mental and neurological disorders globally. Is study aimed to explore physical activity measures; and the association between those measures, and mental wellbeing among older adults in South and Southeast Asia. Physical activity was generally found protecting against depression and improved sleep quality of older adults from South and Southeast Asia. Future studies should focus on more objective measures of physical activity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
