Relationship of Quality of Life with Perceptions of Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Level in the Elderly

Abstract

Aim: The quality of life of any individual is influenced by various determinants. No study evaluated the relationship of quality of life with perceptions of physical fitness and exercise activity level in the elderly Indian population, so the present study aimed to find out the relationship of quality of life with perceptions of physical fitness and exercise activity level in the elderly. Methods: The study had a cross-sectional research design. Eighty- five participants with a mean age of 67 years participated in the study. SF-36 was used to evaluate the quality of life and the Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity of Older Adult’s scale was used to evaluate physical activity perceptions. Karl Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations and a t-test was used to see any gender differences. Results: Significant but weak to moderate associations were found between the perceived physical fitness, and exercise frequency with the physical functioning component of quality of life in the elderly. The Perceived motivators only mildly affect the social functioning aspect of an individual’s life. The Perceived barriers show moderate correlations with multiple components of the quality of life of an individual. Conclusion: Elderly people’s perception regarding physical fitness and exercise activity level significantly affects their quality of life, especially their physical functioning and exercise frequency. Keywords: Elderly population, Perceived physical fitness and exercise activity level, Physical activity, Quality of life, SF-36