Open Access

Effects of Social Isolation During COVID-19 Quarantine on Level Physical Activity and Health of Elderly People

1 Kuyuluk Special Education Vocational School, Mersin
2 Mersin University, Faculty of Sport, Science

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate how quality of life, as well as FA, in community-dwelling older adults is affected by social isolation during the COVID-19 process. A total of 210 participants, 98 men and 112 women, were included in the study through the invitation to participate in the study through online survey software (Google Surveys) and social media communication (WhatsApp). The average Body Mass Index (BMI) of the participants was 27.31±3.43 kg/m2. While the mean weight (kg) was 70.32±10.80 before Covid-19, it was 79.02±10.62 (P<0.05) during the isolation period. It was determined that 30.9% (65) of the participants had cardiovascular disease and 26.2% had lung disease. Before Covid-19, the physical activity level of 66.6% of the majority of the participants was moderate and the number of people doing low physical activity was 18.1%, during the Covid-19 social isolation process. It was observed that 57.6% of the participants had moderate physical activity and 36.2% had low physical activity level (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant difference between physical role difficulty (p<0.005), general health perception (p<0.023), social functionality (p<0.016) and mental health (p<0.037) subscales of SF-36 before and during the Covid-19 period. While there was a significant difference, no difference was found between the other subscales. As a result; COVID-19 restrictions still negatively impacted activity level as well as general and mental health. These short-term declines in activity level and health suggest that greater focus on preventive measures is needed to support older adults in maintaining an active lifestyle.

Keywords

How to Cite

DOLAŞ, Şerafettin, & TOPTAŞ DEMİRCİ, P. (2023). Effects of Social Isolation During COVID-19 Quarantine on Level Physical Activity and Health of Elderly People. International Journal of Active & Healthy Aging, 1(1), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10450301

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