Abstract
Abstract Regular walking is one of the most recommended and popular physical activity worldwide. This study (1) detected the effects of unsupervised regular walking on physical and cognitive functioning, emotional status, and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults and (2) compared the results with inactive controls. Forty middle-aged and older adults with a mean age of 56.30 ± 4.85 years (range 40–70) walking for at least 1 year, at least three times a week, and at least 45 min a day and 40 inactive participants with a mean age of 55.15 ± 5.64 years (range 40–70) participated. Before testing, sociodemographics of the participants were recorded. Body mass index and waist–hip ratio were calculated. The two groups were evaluated and compared in terms of physical functioning (handgrip strength, balance performance, cardio-vascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance and coordination), cognitive functioning (Mini Mental Test), emotional status (Beck Depression Inventory), and health related quality of life (CDC HRQOL- 4). The results obtained from this study showed that there were significant differences in terms of all outcome measurements between the groups (p < 0.05). The regular walking group had better scores in most parameters than the inactive controls. The results indicate that unsupervised regular walking improves health and is also a safe, cheap, and can easily be adapted into daily life. Therefore, it can be recommended to improve physical and cognitive functioning, emotional status, and quality of life of middle-aged and older adults.
Highlights
Average life period of people in Turkey is getting longer, but improving quality of life (QoL) is more important than having a longer life
We found that education level and occupation had no effect on the cognitive function and emotional status of the participants
A study searching the effects of different types of walking on body composition supports that result [32]. We demonstrated that it is possible for community-living middle-aged and older adults to make significant gains attending in unsupervised regular walking program
Summary
Average life period of people in Turkey is getting longer, but improving quality of life (QoL) is more important than having a longer life. Many factors related with strength, endurance, and quality of life inclined to recede as a result of the changes in organism during growth and aging. The most important factor influencing physical capacity which is an important indicator of quality of life is modern lifestyle. Technological improvements and frequent use of transportation facilities, television, and computers restrict physical activity and decrease energy consumption. Energy consumption decreases more in older people with the restriction of physical activity as a result of aging. Physical inactivity caused by industry and modern lifestyle has negative effects on people at every age. Inactive lifestyle causes severe health problems like hypertension, obesity, muscle weakness, postural defects, diabetes and cardiovascular problems, restriction in pulmonary function, and gastrointestinal diseases in middle-aged and older people [1,2,3].
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