APPLIED
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY AND PHYSICAL
STATUS OF WOMEN OVER 60 YEARS OLD
Mitsakis
I.1,2, Nousios G2 Lyrtzis
C2,
Tsermakian T2,
1Gynaecological-Oncological
Clinic of Anticancer Hospital "Theageneion" of Thessaloniki,
2Department
of Physical Education and Sports Science, Serres, A.U.Th. Greece.
Introduction. The
aim of this survey was to study the physical status of women over 60
years old and to examine the association between physical capacity and
physical activity in this particular period of their life,
investigating the effect of physical exercise in those women who had
systematic or periodic physical exercise.
Materials/Methods.
380 women from Northern Hellas were studied, aged between 61 to 90
years (mean age of 75 years). The individuals were separated into
groups depending on age and other specific characteristics. The data
collection was made using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity
Questionnaire (RAPA). Individuals completed the questionnaire, giving
details of their Physical Activity and Physical Status before and after
the age of 60 years.
Results.
There was shown to be a correlation between physical status and
physical activity. The physical status was very good for 50%, medium
for 33% and good for 10% of those women who had continued their
physical activities over 60 years. The physical status was fairly good
for 3%, and bad for 4% of those women who had not continued their
physical activities over 60 years. There will be a detailed
presentation on the results of this study.
Conclusions. An
important percentage of women continuing their physical activities over
60 years old maintain their physical status at satisfactory levels for
the normal function of their organism, permitting them to have good
autonomy in their lives, especially into very old age.
Key
words: physical
activity, physical status, physical capacity, third age,
women’s health.
|
