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

Theingi Maung Maung (), Timsi Jain, Jagannathan Madhanagopal, Sawri Rajan L. Rajagopal Naidu, Hnin Pwint Phyu and Win Myint Oo
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Theingi Maung Maung: Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 602105, India
Timsi Jain: Community Medicine Department, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 602105, India
Jagannathan Madhanagopal: School of Physiotherapy, FAHP, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
Sawri Rajan L. Rajagopal Naidu: Unit of Family Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
Hnin Pwint Phyu: Preclinical Department, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
Win Myint Oo: Faculty of Medicine, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya 47810, Selangor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: exercise; elderly; quality of life; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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