Open AccessBenefits of physical activity on elderly
Author(s) -
Esther Lizbeth Islas-Cruz
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
mexican journal of medical research icsa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2007-5235
DOI - 10.29057/mjmr.v9i18.5714
Subject(s) - gerontology , happiness , quality of life (healthcare) , feeling , flexibility (engineering) , psychology , public health , perception , physical activity , population , medicine , physical therapy , social psychology , environmental health , statistics , mathematics , nursing , neuroscience , psychotherapist
The increase in the Elderly population as the main characteristic of the demographic transition brings with it multiple challenges for public health. As part of the public politics of the World Health Organization (WHO) on healthy aging, Physical Activity (PA) is relevant, being the subject of multiple studies about its benefits on the quality of life of older people. The adoption of a healthy lifestyle at an early age and even in old age, which includes PA, favors the quality of life of the subjects and a healthy aging. Method: This article is a systematic review of the Pubmed, Google Schoolar, Elsevier, Scielo and Redalyc index. Using the keywords, 132 related articles were found, however, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 120 articles were discarded, leaving 12 studies for review. Results: 72% of the studies showed benefits at a physical level: PA in old age improves strength, balance, flexibility and muscle tone. It is also related to a significant reduction in arterial stiffness. 11% of the investigations refer to improvements in the psychoemotional sphere: PA generates positive feelings such as happiness or good self-perception. And 17% of the articles focused on quality of life: PA favors the perception of better quality of life. Conclusion: Physical activity improves health in the physical, mental and social spheres of older adults, improving their quality of life and promoting healthy aging.