PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF THE ELDERLY: LIMITATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF HYPOKINESIA

Background
Researchers often discuss the subject of physical activity (PA) of the elderly in theoretical terms, showing, for example, the protective mechanisms of PA for the body, beneficial effects for health and aging, as well as the principles of effective health training. According to the WHO and EU, few elderly people are physically active. This study aimed to investigate the level of PA of the surveyed elderly people at the present time, compared to when they were younger. Potential limitations in PA of the respondents and their knowledge about the dangers of hypokinesia were also investigated.

Material and methods
This study assessed 217 people, aged 60-85, living in the northern part of the Lublin Province, Poland. It used an original interview questionnaire.

Results
Systematic PA performed by respondents earlier in life involved mainly household and backyard activities, professional work, and participation in physical education lessons. The currently most frequent activities were found to be walking (75.6%) and gardening (66.4%). Women much more often than men participated and reported their willingness to be active in organized PA. Various limitations prevented respondents from being physically active. The greatest number of respondents reported disability, physical weakness, kinesiophobia, and multiple diseases (34.6%) as the main barrier, followed by lack of skills to organize physical exercises (27.7%). Concerning threats of hypokinesia, respondents most often indicated obesity, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and arterial hypertension.

Conclusions
The level of PA of the surveyed elderly people, limitations preventing PA, and low level of knowledge about the delayed consequences of hypokinesia suggests a need for seniors’ health education in physioprophylaxis.