Potrzeby zdrowotne realizowane przez aktywność fizyczną osób starszych
Health needs satisfied by physical activity in the elderly

Summary/Abstract: Introduction. In the 1990s, experts stated that, with regard to the public health strategy, increasing physical activity in society is as significant as treatment of hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders or battles against tobacco addiction (Drygas, Jagier, 2003). The purpose of the paper was to present types of health needs of the elderly, which are met by undertaking physical activity, with further consideration of the degree of its implementation. Material and method. The research was conducted in 2016 among the residents of Biała Podlaska district and the surrounding area (northern part of the Lublin Province). Altogether, 221 persons aged 60-90 were examined. The majority of the respondents were women (65.6%) and rural residents (56.9%). The paper applies the method of the diagnostic survey with the use of the author’s own survey questionnaire. Results. The most numerous group of the surveyed seniors indicated that the undertaken PA satisfies the following needs: family-related (92.3%), prophylactic (91.9%), movement (89.1%), as well as anti-involutionary and tourism-related (both 88.7%). The fewest indications were given to the need of becoming active in case of disability (69.2%) and rehabilitation (77.8%). Conclusions. Physical activity helped the surveyed seniors to satisfy all of the analysed health needs. The respondents would mainly point to family-related needs, preventive ones, movement, anti-involutionary as well as tourist and activity-related ones. The needs that seemed most fulfilled were family-related, prophylactic and those concerning movement while preventing active disability and physical recreation were met the least.

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