Page 94 - Petelin, Ana, and Šarabon, Nejc. 2018. Eds. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Znanstvena monografija / Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 94
avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 94 creases (Akerman, 2014). Regular physical activity has many positive effects on
human health: it strengthens bones and muscles, and develops, increases and
maintains psychophysical and functional abilities of the body, which in turn
increases the ability to live independently in old age. It also reduces the risk of
developing and preventing the progression of various chronic non-communi-
cable diseases, helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, helps to increase
self-esteem and self-confidence, and helps to establish social interaction, so-
cial integration, promote the economic and social development of individu-
als, community and the whole nation (Zaletel-Kragelj et al., 2011). It has also
been shown that physical activity prevents many chronic diseases in the el-
derly, like reduce incidence and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, insu-
lin-dependent diabetes, colon cancer and osteoporosis (Bilban, 2005). Those
who are regularly physically active are forgetting less, fell less anxious, rest-
lessness, lonely, and less often feel that everything in their life is meaningless
(Ramovš, 2013). Healthy lifestyle reduces the risk factors that are dangerous
for our health, and slow down the aging process (Elanie, 2014). With physi�-
cal activity, we have positive effects on the cardiovascular and musculo-skele-
tal system, and the individual’s congruent performance improves, thereby re-
ducing the risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases (Emily et
al., 2013). Regular physical activity reduces body fat and the risk of mortali-
ty due to chronic non-communicable diseases, and also regulates the gener-
al body mass index by supplementing the bone density and muscle mass (Kru-
ger et al., 2004). Decreased muscle tonus related with an age, changes the level
of activity and can have an effects on the quality of life of elderly (Siparsy et al.,
2014). Thompson et al. (2012) note that older people with functional constraints
have lower mental health. Similarly, researchers in the United States (Phillips
et al., 2013), found that regular physical activity is vital to their quality of life.
Halvosrud et al. (2010) found that depression has less impact on quality of life
than functional constraints.
Walking has been identified as an effective measure to promote mobili-
ty because it is a simple, inexpensive and very common form of activity. Ac-
cording to a study conducted in the United Kingdom (Sugiyama et al., 2009),
approximately half of the interviewed elderly reported walking for 2.5 hours
or more per week, while in Finland (Tsai et al., 2013) elderly are walking in the
average 6.5 km four times a week. Data for Slovenia show that walking is the
most popular activity among the elderly. Following the recommendations of
the American Heart Association, the following types of physical activity are
recommended for the elderly: aerobic exercise, exercises for muscular strength,
and balance (Drev, 2010; 2011). In Slovenia, physical activity is also hampered
by the stairs, because elderly must walk an average 15 stairs to their apartments
(Birsa, 2014). Data from 2012 show that three-quarters of elderly are moderate�-
ly active for at least four days a week, and their most popular form of physical
activity is walking. The World Health Organization recommends that are the
human health: it strengthens bones and muscles, and develops, increases and
maintains psychophysical and functional abilities of the body, which in turn
increases the ability to live independently in old age. It also reduces the risk of
developing and preventing the progression of various chronic non-communi-
cable diseases, helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, helps to increase
self-esteem and self-confidence, and helps to establish social interaction, so-
cial integration, promote the economic and social development of individu-
als, community and the whole nation (Zaletel-Kragelj et al., 2011). It has also
been shown that physical activity prevents many chronic diseases in the el-
derly, like reduce incidence and mortality due to cardiovascular disease, insu-
lin-dependent diabetes, colon cancer and osteoporosis (Bilban, 2005). Those
who are regularly physically active are forgetting less, fell less anxious, rest-
lessness, lonely, and less often feel that everything in their life is meaningless
(Ramovš, 2013). Healthy lifestyle reduces the risk factors that are dangerous
for our health, and slow down the aging process (Elanie, 2014). With physi�-
cal activity, we have positive effects on the cardiovascular and musculo-skele-
tal system, and the individual’s congruent performance improves, thereby re-
ducing the risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases (Emily et
al., 2013). Regular physical activity reduces body fat and the risk of mortali-
ty due to chronic non-communicable diseases, and also regulates the gener-
al body mass index by supplementing the bone density and muscle mass (Kru-
ger et al., 2004). Decreased muscle tonus related with an age, changes the level
of activity and can have an effects on the quality of life of elderly (Siparsy et al.,
2014). Thompson et al. (2012) note that older people with functional constraints
have lower mental health. Similarly, researchers in the United States (Phillips
et al., 2013), found that regular physical activity is vital to their quality of life.
Halvosrud et al. (2010) found that depression has less impact on quality of life
than functional constraints.
Walking has been identified as an effective measure to promote mobili-
ty because it is a simple, inexpensive and very common form of activity. Ac-
cording to a study conducted in the United Kingdom (Sugiyama et al., 2009),
approximately half of the interviewed elderly reported walking for 2.5 hours
or more per week, while in Finland (Tsai et al., 2013) elderly are walking in the
average 6.5 km four times a week. Data for Slovenia show that walking is the
most popular activity among the elderly. Following the recommendations of
the American Heart Association, the following types of physical activity are
recommended for the elderly: aerobic exercise, exercises for muscular strength,
and balance (Drev, 2010; 2011). In Slovenia, physical activity is also hampered
by the stairs, because elderly must walk an average 15 stairs to their apartments
(Birsa, 2014). Data from 2012 show that three-quarters of elderly are moderate�-
ly active for at least four days a week, and their most popular form of physical
activity is walking. The World Health Organization recommends that are the
