| Abstract [eng] |
There are some demographic changes in the world, when society is getting older and the birth rate is faling down (Šurkienė et al., 2012). Older people are 65 years old and older (WHO, 2011). This is the category of people who more often complain about various health problems, even with several chronic non-infectious diseases (Hoecke, 2013). Therefore, it is important to maintain good physical activity for the elderly, which helpt to maintain good health, overall well-being and has a positive impact to the psychological state and social environment. Physical activity helps older people to remain independent and unbreakable (Kumahara et al., 2004). The aim of this study is to reveal the link between physical activity and health of older people. In order to achieve the stated goal, the research objectives were also presented: to analyze the theoretical assumptions of the physical activity and health links between the elderly, to examine the physical activity of the elderly, to analyze the data of the health indicators of the elderly and to establish the links between the physical activity and health of the elderly. The study was conducted in January 2019, in Telšiai and Klaipėda third-age universities. There were 250 questionnaires distributed during the survey, of which 123 questionnaires were filled in correctly. Thus, the study included 123 subjects, of whom 8 men and 115 women. All subjects were elderly - 65 years and older. Respondents voluntarily agreed to participate in the survey and fill in questionnaires to answer their questions about their demographic data, physical activity and health status. In evaluating the physical activity of older people, an adapted community questionnaire for healthy physical activity model for seniors (CHAMPS) was analyzed, while for health assessment - SF-36 questionnaire (Short form of health survey) and Hygiene Institute adult lifestyle questionnaire. Disease classes were also presented according to the ICD-10-AM systemic list of diseases to determine if the elderly are suffering from these diseases. After analyzing the results of the study, it was found, that certain physical activities help to prevent endocrine, nutritional and metabolic, ear and spinal growth and circulatory diseases. When evaluating the feelings of older people, it was found that more often certain physical activities, less often complained of depressed, bad mood and anxiety, nervousness or fatigue, restrictions of social activity, better appreciation of quality of life and fullness, more often people feel happy, calm, peaceful and more energy. Analyzing the links between the health and physical activity of older people, it was found that the more people engage in certain physical activity, the better their health status, the less likely they are to be ill than others, the more they think they are so healthy, like their other acquaintances, and less often think their health will deteriorate. |
