A Study Of Relationship Between Physical Activity Participation With Functional Fitness And Psychological Well-Being Of Senior Citizens
Keywords:
physical activity participation, functional fitness in elderly, psychological well-being, senior citizens’ health, aging and quality of lifeAbstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity participation, functional fitness, and psychological well-being among senior citizens. With increasing life expectancy, maintaining physical independence and psychological health in old age has become a major public health concern. This study sought to determine whether physically active senior citizens differ significantly from inactive senior citizens in terms of functional fitness and psychological well-being, and to explore the interrelationship among these variables.
Methods: A descriptive survey method was employed for the study. The sample comprised 120 senior citizens (60 physically active and 60 physically inactive) aged 60 years and above, selected through random sampling from urban and rural areas of Haryana, India. Physical activity participation was assessed using a Physical Activity Participation Questionnaire, functional fitness was measured using the Senior Fitness Test developed by Rikli and Jones (2001), and psychological well-being was assessed using the Psychological Well-Being Scale by Ryff (1989). Statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were used for data analysis.
Results: The findings revealed significant differences between physically active and inactive senior citizens with respect to functional fitness and psychological well-being. Physically active senior citizens demonstrated higher levels of strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, along with better psychological well-being. Further, significant positive relationships were found between physical activity participation and functional fitness, physical activity participation and psychological well-being, and functional fitness and psychological well-being.
Conclusion: The study concludes that regular participation in physical activity plays a vital role in enhancing functional fitness and psychological well-being among senior citizens. Promoting active lifestyles in old age may contribute significantly to healthy and successful ageing.
References
Ainsworth, B. E., et al. (2011). Compendium of physical activities.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(8), 1575–1581.
Biddle, S. J. H., &Asare, M. (2011). Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: A review of reviews. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(11), 886–895.
Chodzko-Zajko, W. J., Proctor, D. N., Singh, M. A. F., Minson, C. T., Nigg, C. R., Salem, G. J., & Skinner, J. S. (2009). Exercise and physical activity for older adults.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(7), 1510–1530.
Dishman, R. K., Heath, G. W., & Lee, I. M. (2013).Physical activity epidemiology.Human Kinetics.
Fox, K. R. (1999). The influence of physical activity on mental well-being.Public Health Nutrition, 2(3a), 411–418.
Kanning, M., &Schlicht, W. (2010). Be active and become happy: An ecological momentary assessment of physical activity and mood. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 32(2), 253–261.
McAuley, E., & Rudolph, D. (1995).Physical activity, aging, and psychological well-being.Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 3(1), 67–96.
Netz, Y., Wu, M. J., Becker, B. J., &Tenenbaum, G. (2005). Physical activity and psychological well-being in advanced age. Psychology and Aging, 20(2), 272–284.
Netz, Y., Wu, M. J., Becker, B. J., &Tenenbaum, G. (2005). Physical activity and psychological well-being in advanced age. Psychology and Aging, 20(2), 272–284.
Patel, M., Shah, R., & Mehta, T. (2018).Physical fitness and psychological well-being among elderly. International Journal of Health Sciences, 12(3), 45–52.
Patel, M., Shah, R., & Mehta, T. (2018).Physical fitness and psychological well-being among elderly.International Journal of Health Sciences, 12(3), 45–52.
Rejeski, W. J., &Mihalko, S. L. (2001).Physical activity and quality of life in older adults.Journals of Gerontology Series A, 56(2), 23–35.
Rikli, R. E., & Jones, C. J. (2001).Senior fitness test manual.Human Kinetics.
Rikli, R. E., & Jones, C. J. (2001).Senior fitness test manual.Human Kinetics.
Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997).Successful aging.The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433–440.
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.
Singh, A., &Kiran, U. V. (2014). Effect of physical activity on quality of life of elderly. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 28(1), 1–12.
Singh, A., &Kiran, U. V. (2014). Effect of physical activity on quality of life of elderly.Indian Journal of Gerontology, 28(1), 1–12.
Strawbridge, W. J., Deleger, S., Roberts, R. E., & Kaplan, G. A. (2002). Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. American Journal of Epidemiology, 156(4), 328–334.
Taylor, A. H., Cable, N. T., Faulkner, G., Hillsdon, M., Narici, M., & Van Der Bij, A. K. (2004). Physical activity and older adults: A review of health benefits and the effectiveness of interventions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22(8), 703–725.
United Nations.(2019). World population ageing.United Nations Publications.
World Health Organization.(2015). World report on ageing and health. WHO Press.
World Health Organization.(2015). World report on ageing and health. WHO Press.
World Health Organization.(2020). Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. WHO Press.
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
