Impact of Aerobic and Strengthening Exercise on Quality of Life (QOL), Mental Health and Physical Performance of Elderly People Residing at Old Age Homes

Background: The COVID-19 infection spread rapidly in Malaysia, and elderly people with underlying comorbidities were affected most. The study aimed to determine the effect of exercise on QOL and mental health among elderly people residing in old age homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Out o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2022-08, Vol.14 (17), p.10881
Main Authors: Maung, Theingi Maung, Jain, Timsi, Madhanagopal, Jagannathan, Naidu, Sawri Rajan L. Rajagopal, Phyu, Hnin Pwint, Oo, Win Myint
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerobic exercises
Aged
Analysis
Care and treatment
Comorbidity
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Domains
Health aspects
Health surveys
Mental depression
Mental health
Nursing home patients
Older people
Psychological aspects
Quality of life
Social aspects
Strengthening
Sustainability
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Summary:Background: The COVID-19 infection spread rapidly in Malaysia, and elderly people with underlying comorbidities were affected most. The study aimed to determine the effect of exercise on QOL and mental health among elderly people residing in old age homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Out of 178 older adults from old age homes in Kedah and Penang States, 39 respondents undertook aerobic and strengthening exercises. A single group pre-test and post-test study was conducted in one government home and nine private homes in the northern region of Malaysia. The DASS-21 scale was used to assess mental health, and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to evaluate QOL. Results: After 12 weeks of the exercise programme, scores for the physical domain increased from 53.1 to 61.8, for the psychological domain from 51.8 to 59.3, for the social domain from 53.2 to 60.5 and for the environmental domain from 67.2 to 72.1. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the depression score from 6.2 to 4.4, the anxiety score from 3.5 to 2.2 and the stress score, from 4.6 to 2.8. Conclusion: Performing aerobic and strengthening exercises for a minimum of 12 weeks may have helped to improve mental health among the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it may also improve the quality of life for those who are residing in old age homes.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su141710881