PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN

ELDERLY: BENEFITS AND

BARRIERS
SEMINAR PAPER PREPARED BY: ADETUTU GLORIA ADEBOLA
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCE,BOWEN UNIVERSITY.IWO
CHS/018/19462
29th August, 2022.
OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Objectives of this seminar paper
• Overview of Physical activity
• Prevalence of physical activity among older adults
• Physical activity guidelines
• Benefits of physical activity among older adults
• Barriers of physical activity in older adults
• Theoretical Framework
• Implication to Nursing
• Recommendations
• Conclusion
• References
INTRODUCTION
• As we age, there are many reasons why people slow down and adopt
a more sedentary lifestyle.This may be due to a health condition,
weight or pain issues, or anxiety about falling.

• Being active is important for everyone irrespective of age or current

fitness level.

• There are a lot of activities adults can try that offer safe and effective
ways of staying fit irrespective of the age.
INTRODUCTION
• Physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and
minds. It can make your daily life better by;
• Improving mood , focus, sleep

• Helping one feel more energized, calm, and confident

• Making it easier to do everyday activities,like carrying groceries and

playing with kids
OBJECTIVES
• This seminar paper aims to:
• Identify the benefits of physical activity on older adults
• Identify the barriers that impede physical activity among elderly
• Suggest ways to overcome the barriers
• Identify the implication to nursing
• Provide recommendations that will help improve physical activity
among older adults
OVERVIEW OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by
skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.
• Physical activity refers to all movement including during leisure time,
for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work.
Both moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity improve health.
• Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage non
communicable disease such as heart disease, stroke , diabetes, and
several cancers.
• It also helps to prevent hypertension , maintain healthy body weight
and improve mental health , quality of life and well being.
OVERVIEW OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Physical activity is an activity that is part of ones daily life.

• Examples; swimming, tennis, household chores, squats, push ups,

amongst many others

• Exercise: is a form of physical activity that is planned, structured and

done to improve at least one aspect of physical fitness.
PREVALENCE
• Physical activity levels among elderly adults are insufficient to confer
health benefits

• The majority of adults reported no leisure or physical activity

• Studies show with increasing age, there is a deterioration of physical

function and neuromotor performance that is associated with
increase number of falls and disability in older adults.
PREVALENCE
• More than 80% of urban , professional Nigerian adults do not meet
the WHO recommendations of physical activity, and this has major
implications for the prevalence of non communicable diseases in this
population.(S.Akarolo-Anthony 2014)

• The majority of adults are at greater risk of developing non

communicable diseases due to high prevalence of inactivity, and
immediate actions are suggested with community based physical
activiy interventions.(Chalchisa Abdeta et.al 2018)
Physical activity guidelines
• According to WHO;
• older adults need atleast:
• 2 hours and 30minutes(150 minutes) of moderate intensity aerobic activity
every week such as walking for pleasure, using crutches, raking the
lawn,digging, etc.
• OR 1 hour and 15minutes(75 minutes) of vigorous intensity aerobic activity
everyweek such as jogging, running, skipping,carrying heavy bags,etc
• AND muscle strengthening exercises 2 or more days a week such as push ups,
stair climbing, squats, etc.
• Other activities such as;
• Walking,Sports for elderly or fitness classes,water aerobics and water sports
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Prolongs independence:it involves self care activities that an individual
must perform on a daily basis such as eating, dressing, bathing, etc.
• It helps to loose weight: As metabolism naturally slows with
age,physical activity increases and builds muscle mass which helps to
burn more calories
• Reduction in impact of illness and chronic disease:
• This aids in improving immune function
• Improves the heart and blood pressure
• Improves bone density and digestive functioning
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance:
• Reduces the risk of falls in elderly.
• Helps to alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis.
• Improves sleep:
• Helps the eldery fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply.
• Boosts mood and self confidence:
• Endorphins produced by exercise can actually help you feel better and reduce feelings
of sadness or depression.
• Improves brain activity:
• Prevents memory loss and cognitive decline and dementia.
• May help slow the progression of brain disorders such as alheimer’s disease.
BARRIERS TO ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Personal and psychological factors(Internal factors);
• Lack of motivation or time
• Low self efficacy
• Fear of fall and injury
• Loneliness and depression
• Past sedentary lifestyle
BARRIERS TO ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• Environmental and socio economic Factors(External Factors):
• Unsafe neighbourhoods
• Bad weather condition
• Improvement of technology
• Inaccessible environments
• Lack of encouragements, support, cultural beliefs, and career’s irresponsibility.

• Aging Process:
• Health related issues like physical impairment, illness, physical fraility or
immobility.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
HEALTH PROMOTION MODEL
• Pender’s Health Promotion Model is based on the idea that people’s
experiences affect their health outcomes.
• Health promotion models are focused on exploring people’s attitudes
about health and individual experiences related to it
• In this study, The Health Promotion Model (HPM) suggests that the
experiences of elderly affect their health outcomes. Their lifestyles are
assessed to determine their health status as their attitude and decisions
have a great influence on the way they live
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
HEALTH PROMOTION MODEL
• Certain occurrences either positive or negative can also influence their
attitudes and reactions toward having optimum health at an old age.
Health Promotion of older adults will therefore depend on their
attitude towards health-related issues and their ability to take the
necessary actions.
• Health Promotion can also be implemented through education and
counseling, routine checkups organized, follow-up visits, development
of health promotion guidelines which should be user friendly.
WAYS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS
• Health workers should pay more counselling attention to less educated
adults and proper dissemination of health messages.

• Proper knowledge and awareness about physical activity in elderly and

provision of facilities by organizations.

• Choose activities that involve minimum risk and resources.

• Encouraging the elderly to involve solely in physical activity and the

implication to their health.
IMPLICATION TO NURSING
• Nurses should be well versed in knowledge of physical activity so as to deliver
education on physical activity to older adults appropriately.

• Nurses should be more involved in research leading to professional

advancement.

• Nurses should encourage the community on the importance of physical

activity and the implication to their health.

• The institute of nursing education should play a role in conducting education

programmes to respective individuals.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Nurses should;
• Serve as advocates to the governments on provision of facilities to help increases the
interest of the elderly to physical activity

• Develop local community partnerships to promote physical activity.

• Improve access to places that people can be active such as gyms, fields, walking,etc.

• Increase awareness in the community on the impact of physical activity in elderly.

• Enlighten families to support their elderly ones on practicing physical activity.

CONCLUSION
• Physical activity is very important as it slows aging. It enhances and
improves the wellbeing of the elderly.
• It improves the strength, endurance, cognitive function, and ability to
perform activities of daily living.
• It is recommended for all adults to improve their health and also life
expectancy
• Nurses should have a huge role to play in ensuring that older citizens
have access to effective health care services and treatment where
they will be catered for with sensitivity.
•THANK YOU……
•QUESTION &
ANSWER?.........
REFERENCES
• Chalchisa, A., Zelalem, T., & Alem, D. (2018). Knowledge of the
physical activity guidelines and factors associated with physical
activity participation among adults in Harar town, eastern Ethiopia.
• Kayla,W. (2014). Benefits of physical exercise for senior adults.
• laurel, H., Sarah, G., Whitney, K., & Candice, H. (2022) .Physical
activity and the elderly.
• Sally N. A., Clement, A.(2014). Prevalence and correlates of leisure-
time physical activity among Nigerians.
• World Health Organisation .(2020). Guidelines on physical activity and
sedentary behaviour.