Page 93 - Petelin, Ana, and Šarabon, Nejc. 2018. Eds. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Znanstvena monografija / Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 93
Physical activity and its importance
for the elderly’s health
Marjeta Oplot1, Gregor Štiglic2, Mateja Lorber2
1 University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanjska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
2 University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Achieving a high age is a reflection of the high quality of
life. Regular physical activity is crucial and increases the ability to live
independently. The aim of the research was to find out the frequency of
physical activity of the elderly in the home environment.
Methods: The research sample covered the elderly from Slovenia and 18
other participating countries. More than 86,000 individuals aged over
50 were participated, of whom 2257 were from Slovenia, of whom 1275
were aged 65 and over. The data were analysed with the SPSS Statistics 20
program.
Results: 86 % of the elderly people from Slovenia do not have difficulties
in performing day-to-day activities. 46 % of Slovenian elderly people
do not engage in any sports or intensive activities. As many as 86 % of
the elderly from Slovenia do not need help outside the household. The
difference in assessment of health according to the elderly (F = 500,50, p
<0,001) was found between countries. Slovenia ranked on the 7th place.
For those elderly who receive help outside the household, assess their
health higher. 70 % of Slovenian elderly people have overweight.
Discussion and conclusion: The elderly’s body activity is insufficient,
the body weight is too high, which means a higher level of risk for
the chronic non-communicable diseases. Only by ensuring adequate
healthcare, economic prosperity, social inclusion and health education
we can reduce the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Key words: physical activity, elderly people, quality of life, chronic non-
communicable diseases
With age, there are changes in physical abilities, the flexibility and to-
nus of the muscles of the whole body decrease, the bones become
fragile, the coordination of movements and cognitive abilities de-
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-18-4.93-99
for the elderly’s health
Marjeta Oplot1, Gregor Štiglic2, Mateja Lorber2
1 University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanjska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
2 University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Achieving a high age is a reflection of the high quality of
life. Regular physical activity is crucial and increases the ability to live
independently. The aim of the research was to find out the frequency of
physical activity of the elderly in the home environment.
Methods: The research sample covered the elderly from Slovenia and 18
other participating countries. More than 86,000 individuals aged over
50 were participated, of whom 2257 were from Slovenia, of whom 1275
were aged 65 and over. The data were analysed with the SPSS Statistics 20
program.
Results: 86 % of the elderly people from Slovenia do not have difficulties
in performing day-to-day activities. 46 % of Slovenian elderly people
do not engage in any sports or intensive activities. As many as 86 % of
the elderly from Slovenia do not need help outside the household. The
difference in assessment of health according to the elderly (F = 500,50, p
<0,001) was found between countries. Slovenia ranked on the 7th place.
For those elderly who receive help outside the household, assess their
health higher. 70 % of Slovenian elderly people have overweight.
Discussion and conclusion: The elderly’s body activity is insufficient,
the body weight is too high, which means a higher level of risk for
the chronic non-communicable diseases. Only by ensuring adequate
healthcare, economic prosperity, social inclusion and health education
we can reduce the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Key words: physical activity, elderly people, quality of life, chronic non-
communicable diseases
With age, there are changes in physical abilities, the flexibility and to-
nus of the muscles of the whole body decrease, the bones become
fragile, the coordination of movements and cognitive abilities de-
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-18-4.93-99
