Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Community Dwelling Elderly
Date
2015-08-26
Authors
Hadeel Halaweh
Carin Willen
Anna Grimby-Ekman
Ulla Svantesson
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Abstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of
life (HRQoL) are important factors for optimal health in the elderly.
Studying the association between PA and HRQoL is becoming more
essential as the number of elderly people increases worldwide. This
study assesses the association between PA and HRQoL among community-dwelling elderly above 60 years old.
Methods: The study included 115 women and 61 men (mean age:
68.15 ± 6.74 years) recruited from the community and from public
centers for the elderly. Data were collected using a background characteristics questionnaire (BCQ), a physical activity socio-cultural
adapted questionnaire (PA-SCAQ), and the EuroQuol-5Dimensions 5Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Between groups, comparisons
were based on the PA-SCAQ by dividing the participants into three
PA groups: low (n = 74), moderate (n = 85), and high (n = 17).
Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed on the ordinal variables of the
three PA groups to determine differences between the groups according to categorical variables such as gender, body mass index (BMI),
and the prevalence of comorbid conditions. Mann-Whitney U tests
were performed on the ordinal variables of the EuroQuol-5Dimensions (EQ-5D), and the independent sample t-test was performed on
the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Spearman’s rank correlation
coefficient was used to examine the correlation between the EQ-5D
and level of PA.
Results: Values in all dimensions of HRQoL were significantly high er (P < 0.05) in the moderate and high PA groups compared with the
low PA group. Significant correlations were recorded between the five
dimensions of HRQoL and the level of PA (P < 0.001). The low PA
group showed a higher prevalence of hypertension (64%, P < 0.001)
and diabetes (50%, P < 0.001).
Conclusion: There were strong associations between higher levels of
PA and all dimensions of HRQoL. Therefore, adopting a PA lifestyle
may contribute to better HRQoL among community-dwelling elderly
above 60 years old.
Keywords: Healthy aging; Physical activity; Habitual walking; Co morbidity
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Citation
Halaweh H, Willen C, Grimby-Ekman A, Svantesson U., (2015). Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Community Dwelling Elderly. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2015;7(11):845-52.