Original Research Articles
Physical Activity of the Community- Dwelling Elderly Population in Gujarat, India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors:
Samira Sirajulhak Patel,
College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Vadodara, Gujarat, IN
About Samira Sirajulhak
Samira Sirajulhak Patel is specialized in the field of community physiotherapy. Her areas of interest are geriatric physiotherapy and women's health. As part of her post-graduation she was engaged in understanding physical activity of elderly population in the community, their perceptions and barriers.
Nalina Gupta ,
College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Vadodara, Gujarat, IN
About Nalina
Dr. Nalina Gupta works as an Associate Professor at College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University. She has 14 years of teaching, research and clinical experience in the field of physiotherapy (specialized in neurosciences). She has published in many peer-reviewed national and international journals.
Lata Parmar
College of Physiotherapy, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Gujarat, IN
About Lata
Dr. Lata Parmar is a Principal & Professor in the College of Physiotherapy of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed-to-be-University. She has more than 40 years of clinical, teaching and research experience in the field of physiotherapy. She has written in many peer-reviewed national and international journals.
Abstract
Purpose: While ageing is an inevitable phenomenon of life, physical activity is important for healthy ageing. Compared to the other age groups, older adults throughout the world have the lowest rate of participation in recommended levels of physical activity. This study aimed to investigate the physical activity status of the community-dwelling elderly population in Gujarat, India.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study. A door-to-door survey was conducted among selected communities near Vadodara in Gujarat. Based on the inclusion criteria (age≥60years, MMSE-≥24), 347 elderly persons were included in the study. Data was collected using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Among the 347 older adults (mean age 67.43±7.46 years) who participated in the study, 159 were male and 188 were female. While 125 participants (36%) were physically active at levels recommended by the World Health Organisation, 222(64%) were physically inactive.
Conclusion: Only 36% of the participants were physically active as per WHO recommendations. The men were more physically active than the women in the study sample. This study implies that there is a need to create an awareness regarding the importance of physical activity for healthy aging.
How to Cite:
Patel, S.S., Gupta, N. and Parmar, L., 2020. Physical Activity of the Community- Dwelling Elderly Population in Gujarat, India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 31(2), pp.21–32. DOI: http://doi.org/10.47985/dcidj.369
Published on
04 Nov 2020.
Downloads
