Effectiveness of Physical Activity Educational Program Based on Self-regulatory Theory on the Quality of Life among the Elderly

One of the most important factors in maintaining and promoting health in old age is regular physical activity. Benefiting from self-regulatory strategies is an important part of exercise interventions that have been proven to be important in promoting physical activity. The present study was designed and conducted to determine the effectiveness of physical activity educational program based on self-regulatory theory on quality of life of the elderly.

This interventional and quasi-experimental study was conducted on 64 elderly in in 2020 in Comprehensive Health Centers in Isfahan. The elderly were randomly divided into intervention (n = 34) and control (n = 30) groups. For the intervention group, self-regulated physical activity educational program was performed. The required information was collected using the WHOQOL-BREF Questionnaire and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly before and two months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, t-test, and covariance.

In the intervention group before and after the intervention, the mean score of walking was 7.75 ± 7.35 vs.   15.54±8.01, mild physical activity 2.85±2.87 vs. 5.53±6.23, and low physical activity was 2.86±15.71 vs. 7.86 ± 14.41, respectively. Moreover, the mean of social relationshipswas 61.76 ±17.3 vs. 68.75±9.68 and mental health was 51.1±11.06 vs. 53.67±9.66, respectively before and after the intervention, which was significantly different (P <0.05).

Self-regulatory strategies can be used to increase in physical activity in the elderly. In fact, if the elderly are more active, their social relationships and mental health will improve..