COVID-19, physical activity, participation in exercise programs and their relationship with depressive symptoms and quality of life in elderly
Keywords:
physical activity, elderly, COVID-19, depression, Quality of LifeAbstract
The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effect of Covid-19 on participation in exercise programs in older adults and examine differences in Quality of Life (QoL) and depressive symptoms (DS) between participants and non-participants during the first year of resuming operation of an Open Care Center for the Elderly (K.A.P.I.) in Komotini. The study included 102 participants, mean age 73.91±6.34 (79.40% women). Physical Activity (PA) was assessed by accelerometers (Actigraph) and exercise participation by annual log files of the 2nd K.A.P.I. Questionnaires were used to assess DS (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)-15) and QoL (QoL, WHO-QOL-BREF). Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables, McNemar’s test assessed changes in exercise participation due to the pandemic, independent samples t–tests were used for group comparisons. P-values less than .05 were considered significant. Although most participants (90.2%, n=82) met the 150 minutes/week of MVPA-guidelines, statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in post-COVID exercise-participation (p<.001). There were no significant differences in QoL subscales and DS between participants and non-participants in exercise classes. Participants had a positive profile regarding physical activity, QoL and DS, despite the thwarted participation in exercise classes. Response bias due to pandemic-related fear might have affected the results. Results provide support for beneficial contribution of PA and K.A.P.I. services to healthy aging.
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