The relation between health and physical activity of older people with different lifestyles

Hypothesis: We suppose that older people who are practice healthy lifestyle spend less time sitting. Objective of the research: to identify the relation between health and physical activity of older people with different lifestyles. Tasks: 1. To identify and compare the relation between different lifestyles and health of older people. 2. To identify and compare the relation between different lifestyles and physical activity of older people. 3. To identify the relation between physically active older people and health. The research took place from November 2012 to March, 2013. Two hundred and ten Lithuanians aged over 50 took part in the survey. (209 of them practice a healthy lifestyle and 101 of them don’t do it). The process of the information showed that almost half of the participants had elevated blood pressure which was mostly combined with various pains. People who practice a healthy lifestyle spend less time sitting every day. One third of them exercise every day. Only about one-fifth of all participants are doing outdoor sports. Physically active people were healthier and they were taking less medicine. Physically inactive participants were more depressed. Therefore the hypothesis at the beginning of the research was confirmed, older people who practise healthy lifestyle spend less time sitting. Recommendations: To promote healthier lifestyle among older people organizing celebrations, sport events, prepare seminars, booklets and videos. Lithuanian municipalities should pay more attention to public physical activity promotion installing pedestrian and bicycle paths, outdoor fitness and sports grounds. Public health specialists is recommended to enhance awareness of the various forms of physical activity in old age and develop appropriate physical activity program in health status