Effectiveness of aerobic exercise on dimensions of quality of life in elderly females

Context: Given increasing number of older adults and the burden of care costs of them, improving the quality of life (QOL) of these people is one of the main targets of researchers in this field. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on the dimensions of QOL among elderly females.

Setting and Design: This semi experimental research with re-post test design conducted in Rehabilitation and Daily Care Center of Iran-Tabriz 2018.

Materials and Methods: Sixty elderly females were selected based on criteria and divided via blocks randomization into intervention (N = 30) and control groups(N = 30). The intervention group participated in aerobic training for 8 weeks (24 sessions). Both groups were evaluated before and after intervention with QOL questionnaire (SF36).

Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS-20 software through descriptive, Chi-Square, one-way, and multivariate covariance methods.

Results: The QOL of majority of elderly women was low (78%). The mean score of QOL in the intervention group before intervention was 43.99 ± 4.4 and after intervention was 55.46 ± 4.62 (P = 0.001). In the control group, the mean score of QOL was 44.70 ± 4.51 before and 47.31 ± 4.37 after intervention (P = 0.41).

Conclusion: Aerobic exercises have improved the QOL in all mental and physical aspects of women aged 60–70 years. Therefore, this easy and cost-effective intervention is beneficial for aged woman to promote QOL dimensions. It can be used as intervention to enhance QOL of aged peopled.