Quality of Life and Physical Activity among Elderly and Old People

Abstract

This article presents the results of the identification of the main causes of physical inactivity among the elderly and the assessment of the effectiveness of the inclusion of regular Nordic walking into the preventive system for the elderly in order to improve the quality of life. A comparative analysis of the quality of life was used among elderly and old people, regularly engaged in Nordic walking (intervention group) and leading a physically passive lifestyle (control group). It was established that regular physical activity allows the improvement of the quality of life and positively affects health in groups under study, but it is the elderly people who represent the most physically inactive part of the population. The main reasons for the physical inactivity among older people are the presence of diseases, fear of injury and falls, lack of energy and weakness, low level of motivation, lack of partners or friends for joint activities, etc. The above studies have shown that regular practice of Nordic walking improves the quality of life for both elderly and old people. It was evidenced by the results of the SF 36 questionnaire analysis when we compared not only intervention and control groups but the age differences in the quality of life in all groups under study. After 12 months of regular Nordic walking it was registered an increase of the quality of life estimated on the scales of role-playing physical functioning, overall health, role emotional functioning, vitality, psychological health, social functioning, which correlated both with the physical and psychological components of health. The results thus obtained make it possible to recommend Nordic walking as the most simple, accessible and at the same time effective type of physical activity for the elderly population, that helps to overcome the main causes of physical inactivity, restore the functional capabilities of the aging organism. Gerontotechnologies based on the regular activities of Nordic walking are one of the most effective ways to improve and maintain the quality of life and, as a result, the activity, mobility, self-care ability among elderly and old people.