Relationship of level of physical activity and quality of life in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between level of physical activity and quality of life in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 359 individuals aged 65 or above living at a town center. Study data was conducted using inperson interview method. Data collection form, International Physical Activity Survey (IPAQ) and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly (CASP-19) were used. Data was assessed using SPSS 25.0 program and descriptive statistics, MannWhitney U, Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis, and Spearman correlation analysis were used in analysis of data. Results: Average Physical Activity Level scores older individuals that participated in the study received was 2133.52±3352.45 min/week. While being 65 and being married raised Physical Activity Level, (p <0.01); being literate, working, having a chronic illness, and regularly using medicine decreased the Physical Activity Level (p <0.001). The average score older adults received from Quality of Life Scale was 23.65±5.91. Being male, being married, being retired, living with spouse, and absence of chronic illness increased quality of life scores (p <0.05). 53.5% of the older people that participated in the study had insufficient and 24.2% had sufficient levels of physical activity. A positive relationship was found between total level of activities, jogging, moderate physical activity average scores of older people together with total quality of life score (p <0.001). Conclusion: During the pandemic process, it was concluded that the physical activities of old adults were low enough and their quality of life was moderate.