Emotional Status, Motor Dysfunction, and Cognitive Functioning as Predictors of Quality of Life in Physically Engaged Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Inaihá Laureano Benincá (), Maria Gattuso, Stefania Butti, Davide Caccia and Francesca Morganti
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Inaihá Laureano Benincá: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Maria Gattuso: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Stefania Butti: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Davide Caccia: University Sport Centre—CUS, University of Bergamo, 24044 Bergamo, Italy
Francesca Morganti: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: The demographic transition has become a reality, and it demands public policies to promote physical and mental health in aging. Group exercise emerges as a cost-effective and accessible alternative to promote active aging on a large scale, but to optimize the effectiveness of these programs, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms that improve quality of life. This study aimed to explore the associations between emotional status, cognitive functioning, motor dysfunction, and their relationship with quality of life in community-dwelling older adults participating in a group physical exercise program. Structural equation modeling was used to explore these relationships in a sample of 190 older adults. Emotional state directly predicted all domains of quality of life. Motor dysfunction predicts the physical health domain of quality of life. Motor dysfunction and cognitive functioning are strongly correlated with emotional status. The fit indices of the final model are acceptable, and it demonstrates that within group-exercise dynamics, emotional status is the main component of quality-of-life promotion. Therefore, professionals designing group physical exercise programs to promote active aging should consider not only physical fitness, but also the integration of psychosocial elements, offering a holistic approach to enhancing overall well-being.

Keywords: group exercise; active aging; mental health; SEM; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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