Trying to stay healthy as long as possible and being in motion” : A study about health and physical activity in elderly

ABSTRACT Title ”Trying to stay healthy as long as possible and being in motion” Titel ”Försöka hålla sig frisk så länge som möjligt och vara i rörelse” Author Martina Skoglund Institute Institution For Health Science Tutor Konstantin Kougiomtzis Date 2014-06-05 No. of pages 39 Keywords Elder, Health, Healthy aging, Physical activity, SOC Summary Background: Thanks to advances in healthcare recent decades life expectancy have increased steadily. In order not to put pressure on the healthcare service we as a society need to think in terms of salutogenetic and health promotion. Research has shown that physical activity has great effects to healthy aging. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to see what older individuals believe health and physical activity to be, and with the help of questions about SOC interconnect these with healthy aging. Method: To gain knowledge in this area the qualitative method was selected, it provides a deeper understanding. A hand-picked selection was applied and eight individuals were selected for interviews. Result: They define health with good food, exercise, to feel good and having no diseases. Physical activity is moving your body in different ways. They believe circuit training to be a great way to be physically active, with exercises that target the entire body, and your part of a group who can draw strength from each other. Respondents generally have relatively high SOC, high on manageability and meaningfulness and lower comprehensibility. Conclusion: Based on the results and studying of literature the conclusion can be drawn that in order to grow old in a strong and healthy way, physical activity in group are recommended