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Associations between Physical Activity and Quality of Life, Happiness, and Depression among Elderly Women

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Physical Rehabilitation, Massage and Health-Improving Physical Culture Named after I. M. Sarkizov-Serazini RSUFKSMiT, Moscow, Russia

2 Department of Sport Management, Malekan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Malekan, Iran

3 Department of Sport Sciences, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran

4 Department of Sport Sciences, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran

10.30476/whb.2024.101984.1276

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, 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.

Highlights

How to Cite: Shafaei H, Najafzadeh F, Shakki M, Ghorbani S. Associations between Physical Activity and Quality of Life, Happiness, and Depression among Elderly Women. Women. Health. Bull. 2024;11(2):104-111. doi: 10.30476/WHB.2024.101984.1276.

Keywords

References
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Women’s Health Bulletin
Volume 11, Issue 2 - Serial Number 42
April 2024
Pages 104-111
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