Effect of physical activity on mental health promotion in iranian institutionalized older people

Abstract

Objective The WHO defined health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing not merely the absence of disease. Mental health is an essential part of overall health, and should be a vital part of our considerations for promoting active ageing. This study carried out to investigate the role of physical activity in promoting mental health amongst older people in Tabriz-Iran. Methods This study was a semi-experimental research in which through application of purposive sampling method 31 older people living in residential care home were selected. The exclusion criteria included having severe cognitive impairment or being too frail to undertake the survey. Based on physical activity guidelines for older adults, moderate-intensity aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity were planned for the residents. A face-to-face interview was conducted by using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to measure mental health status before and after intervention. Descriptive statistics, Wilkcoxon rank-sum and Chi-Square tests were employed to describe and analyses the data. Findings The results showed that status of physical health, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression were significantly improved after the intervention. Thus, incorporating moderate level aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities in the older people daily care schedule appear to be beneficial especially in relation to mental health status. Conclusion119 With regard to the health needs of older people, the promotion of physical activity is a relatively new area. Consequently, those involved in promoting health status of older people may need themselves more training about physical activity promotion methods and strategies, opportunities to gain experience in this field and resources to help them development in their work.