PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH IN GERIATRIC POPULATION: A SURVEY STUDY

Abstract

Background: Exercise is known to be associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes, but its association with mental health remains unclear. We aimed to examine the association between exercise and mental health burden in a geriatric population, and to better understand the influence of exercise type, frequency, duration, and intensity. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 287 elder peoples, both males and Females in the age group above 60 years. A Self-administered Questionnaire containing 39 questions Arranged in a systematic manner includes questions related to general details of the respondents, Details of psychological health and details of level of physical activity of subject In google format was circulated among elder peoples and college students having grandparents online through WhatsApp and emails. Results: Results showed that 38.3% of participants are low active, 37.3% are moderate active and 24.4% are high active.it also shows that the peoples in between 60-70 are highly active as compared to other groups who are moderately, low active. Females were more physically active than males in moderate and vigorous activity but males were having high walking activities as compared to females. Males are more suffering from anxiety, depression, general health, and have less vitality, positivity and self-control as compared to females. Conclusion: Socio demographic variables like old age, female gender, widower elderly, and family structure and along with this elderly have a significant influence on mental health of elderly in different domains of wellbeing. Significant reduction of total weekly physical activity energy expenditure in elderly age groups and especially in men, and this reduction negatively affects the psychological well-being. The effect of physical activity in populations was evidenced due to the correlation between METs and vitality, which translates into a better psychological well-being of individuals. In fact, physical activity has a profoundly positive impact on psychological health, by enhancing self-esteem and resilience to stress and reducing depression and anxiety. The clinical relevance of the present study denotes that maintaining regular physical activity is an important preventive strategy for physical and mental health. Then “stay active to feel better.”