The relationship between life quality and physical activity in the elderly

This study utilized a questionnaire to determine the relationship between life quality (LQ) and physical activity (PA) in a sample of independent living elderly (N=84). LQ was measured using Pflaum's (1973) 40 item short form LQ inventory. The PA questionnaire was developed for the study and estimated past PA (young adulthood) and present PA. The sample consisted of elderly men and women 60 years and older, attending senior day centers in the following cities: Stoughton, WI, La Crosse, WI, and Edina, MN. The data was treated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Significance was set at the .05 level. LQ was found to be positively correlated with past PA. Past PA was positively correlated with present PA. Sex was significantly correlated with past PA. City size was negatively correlated with past PA and present PA. City size was positively correlated with age. LQ was not found to be significantly correlated to present PA. The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of evaluating the needs and desires of the elderly prior to implementing a program of PA