Engagement in a Community Physical Activity Program and Its Effects Upon the Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly People: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Aging is related to an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and impairments in health-related quality of life. Physical activity is a nonpharmacological intervention that is known to prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases and improve quality of life. Objectives: To compare the quality of life, as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), of elderly participants and nonparticipants in a community physical activity program. Methods: One hundred elderly men and women (age > 60 years) who were either sedentary (sedentary [S] group; n = 50, 30 men) or physically active and attended a community physical activity program (physical activity [PA] group; n = 50, 30 men) took part in the study. All participants completed the SF-36 subscales to assess their quality of life. Results: The PA group reported higher values on the functioning capacity and general health perceptions subscales of the SF-36 when compared with the S group. Conversely, scores on the following SF-36 subscales did not differ between the groups: role limitations due to physical problems, pain, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. A ceiling effect was evident in both groups for all SF-36 subscales. Conclusions: The SF-36 subscales were not sufficiently sensitive to detect differences between the S and PA groups (except for functioning capacity and general health perceptions), probably because of ceiling effects.

Empatía y Teoría de la Mente: comparación entre deportistas y no deportistas

“…En cambio, estas herramientas han mostrado sensibilidad y especicidad entre controles modelos clínicos (Baez et al, 2014;Preckel et al, 2018;Singer y Klimecki, 2014). El efecto techo, o efecto piso, se ha observado en medidas neurocognitivas aplicadas en población aparentemente sana (Aguirre-Loaiza et al, 2019;Barbosa de Lira et al, 2018;McMorris, Turner, Hale y Sproule, 2016). Cuarto, aunque se usaron instrumentos que superan la complejidad de los inventarios y se ubicaron en paradigmas contextuales, aún son necesarias nuevas herramientas que satisfagan exigencias en aplicaciones de la psicología del rendimiento.…”

Factors Associated with Participation of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in a Home-Based Falls Prevention Program

“…Several other studies have found that participation in an exercise program resulted in better health perceptions. Namely, three studies have shown that, among older adults, participation in a community exercise group, in a Pilates exercise group, or in Tai Chi has resulted in better health perceptions [24,25,26].…”

The Impact of Street Space Perception Factors on Elderly Health in High-Density Cities in Macau—Analysis Based on Street View Images and Deep Learning Technology

“…Regular and proper physical exercise will help maintain the normal functioning of the brain and nerves [32,33]. In general, a lot of evidence shows that participating in regular physical exercise has great benefits for the physical health of the elderly, and it also benefits and slows down the aging process [34][35][36][37]. Therefore, public space in the neighborhood should attract the elderly to go and carry out sports activities.…”