Hassan Shafaei; Farrokhlegha Najafzadeh; Masoud Shakki; Saeed Ghorbani
Abstract
Background: Engaging in regular exercise is widely recognized as a highly efficient method to mitigate age-related disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the correlations between physical activity and the quality of life, happiness, and depression levels in elderly women.Methods: In this study, ...
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Background: Engaging in regular exercise is widely recognized as a highly efficient method to mitigate age-related disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the correlations between physical activity and the quality of life, happiness, and depression levels in elderly women.Methods: In this study, a descriptive-correlational method was employed. The participants were 390 elderly women (aged 65 and above) who were chosen through a convenience sampling procedure in Tehran, Iran, in 2023. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (range of scores from 0 to 793), SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (range of scores from 0 to 100), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (range of scores from 0 to 87) and Geriatric Depression Scale (range of scores from 0 to 15) were used for measuring exercise activity, quality of life, happiness and depression, respectively. For data analysis, Pearson correlation test and regression analysis in SPSS version 26 and Lisrel 8.1 were applied.Results: Descriptive results showed that in general the level of physical activity in students was below average (114.09±15.78). Likewise, the quality of life was below average (39.83±7.40). Happiness was also below average (5.97±2.19). Finally, depression was higher than average (53.64±9.90). The findings indicated that physical activity has a direct association with the quality of life (β=0.356, T=5.137). Additionally, physical activity has a direct association with happiness (β=0.448, T=6.556). However, it was observed that physical activity has an indirect association with depression (β=-0.229, T=-3.671).Conclusions: The study results clearly indicated that engaging in physical activity significantly contributes to improving the overall wellbeing and health-related quality of life among elderly women. Thus, prioritizing the enhancement of physical and exercise routines is strongly advised as a primary approach to enhance wellbeing and health-related quality of life in elderly women.
Tayebeh Baniasadi; Sheida Ranjbari; Sedigheh Khajeaflatoon Mofrad; Saeed Ghorbani
Abstract
Background: Mental health is a common concern in old age. Given the increase of aging population, it is crucial to pay attention to factors influencing elderly people’s mental health. This research investigated the correlations between social support and physical activity (PA) with depression and ...
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Background: Mental health is a common concern in old age. Given the increase of aging population, it is crucial to pay attention to factors influencing elderly people’s mental health. This research investigated the correlations between social support and physical activity (PA) with depression and happiness in older women with memory impairment.Methods: A descriptive-correlational approach was used in this study. The statistical population consisted of all elderly women (over 65 years old) residing in Golestan province, Iran, between February 2022 and June 2022. The sample included 384 women with mild dementia who were selected through purposive sampling. Research variables were measured using standard instruments. Data analysis was conducted using the Pearson correlation test and regression analysis in SPSS version 26.Results: The mean and standard deviation of social support, PA, depression, and happiness were 37.59±11.09, 1.06±1.17, 7.29±2.55, and 42.73±10.64, respectively. Regression analysis results demonstrated a negative and significant association between social support and depression (35.1%), while it showed a positive and significant association with happiness (16.5%). Furthermore, PA exhibited a negative and significant association with depression (40.9%) and a positive and significant association with joy (30.4%).Conclusions: The findings of this study can contribute to the development of more effective health and physical education programs targeting elderly individuals with memory impairment to improve their mental health.
Maryam Abdoshahi
Abstract
Background: The effects of participation in sports and physical activities on mental health in menopausal women have been less examined. Therefore, the goal of the current research was to further investigate the effects of participation in sports and physical activities using a Pilates training intervention ...
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Background: The effects of participation in sports and physical activities on mental health in menopausal women have been less examined. Therefore, the goal of the current research was to further investigate the effects of participation in sports and physical activities using a Pilates training intervention on mental health and happiness among menopausal women.Methods: The current research used an experimental method with pre-test and post-test using a control group. Thirty-two menopausal women from Tehran (district 5), Iran, in 2022, who were chosen using a convenience sampling method, participated in the study. The intervention group (n=16) was exposed to three months of Pilates exercises, while those in the control group (n=16) performed their regular daily activities. Mental health and happiness were measured using The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and The Oxford-Happiness Inventory, respectively, prior to and following the intervention. Independent t-test and analysis of covariance using SPSS version 26 were utilized to analyze the data.Results: The results showed similar mental health and happiness within both groups at baseline. Moreover, the results revealed that our sample had medium to high symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress at pretest. Furthermore, the participants in the intervention group reported lower depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001), and stress (P<0.001) as well as higher happiness (P<0.001) following the intervention than the control group.Conclusions: Based on our findings, it is recommended that menopausal women participate in various sports training courses such as Pilates to improve their mental health status.
