Fizička aktivnost, fizički fitnes i kvalitet života starih žena

Abstract

Conducted research was focused on obtaining relevant information about the level of physical activity, physical fitness and quality of life of elderly urban and rural women. A sample of 974 respondents, aged 60 to 80 years, divided into two subgroups, according to the place of residence (622 respondents from urban areas and 352 respondents from rural areas), and in relation to BMI into: women with normal weight (n=298), overweight (n=255), and obese women (n=10). The level of physical activity of women, estimated by international IPAQ questionnaire, which contained four types of physical activity: work-related, transport, housework/ poultry and leisure time. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior fitness Test- SFT (containing: back scratch, chair sit and reach, 8 foot up and go, 30 seconds stand from chair, arm curl and 2-minute step test). Quality of life was assessed by shorter version of the questionnaire of the World Health Organization- WHOQOL, which contained 26 questions grouped into four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relations and environment. To determine differences between groups, we used a multivariate and univariate analysis of variance (Manova/Anova), a test was performed differences t- test. The impact of physical activity on physical fitness and quality of life was assessed by regression analysis. Based on the set of objects, objectives and tasks of the research concluded that in certain domains of physical activity, physical fitness and quality of life, there are differences between women and urban and rural areas, protects the nutritional level. Also, it was found that physical activity significantly affects the physical fitness and quality of life of elderly women and urban and rural areas. It is necessary to work on raising awareness about the importance of physical activity for the health of women and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, especially practicing regular physical activity in this population group.