Open AccessTHE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON OBESITY AMONG THE ELDERLY – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Author(s) -
Miljan Hadžović,
Ljiljana Jelenković,
Bojan Jorgić,
Ana Lilić,
Nikola Prvulović
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
facta universitatis. series: physical education and sport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0496
pISSN - 1451-740X
DOI - 10.22190/fupes200322007h
Subject(s) - obesity , lean body mass , flexibility (engineering) , regimen , medicine , physical activity , gerontology , physical therapy , body weight , fat mass , mathematics , statistics
The aim of this review research was to determine the effects of the physical activity (PA) on obesity among the elderly. To compile existing studies on the effects of PA on obese elderly individuals, PubMed, SCIndeks, PEDro, J-GATE, DOAJ and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched. By analyzing and applying the set criteria, the final analysis included 20 studies, and the positive influence of the PA on the obesity of the elderly was confirmed. The greatest effect on the decrease in body mass was achieved by the simultaneous application of a combination of exercise programs and dietary regimen for a period of 6 months. It was concluded that combined programs of aerobics, weight training, flexibility and balance exercises for a period of at least 12 weeks lead to a mild decrease in body mass and the amount of fat mass, while maintaining and increasing lean body mass mostly in the form of muscle tissue. PA is an effective mean in reducing obesity, and thus its use among the elderly is recommended.