COVID-19 and the Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition and Quality of Life in Elderly Adults
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
12-4-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
12-4-2022 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Human Performance
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Corey Selland
Mentor's Department
Human Performance
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Description
he COVID-19 pandemic has had an overall negative impact on physical activity (PA). People who reduce their PA are subject to comorbidities including mood disorders (Puccinelli et al., 2021). This is significant for the elderly population as they are at high risk of mortality and other complications caused by contracting COVID-19. When older adults become more sedentary, their physical fitness is quickly lost due to reversibility (use or lose it). Due to the urge for the elderly population to isolate, as well as the restrictions and closure of facilities for the public, many elderly experienced reductions in PA and increases in sedentary behavior. For those ages 65 and older, the recommendations for PA include 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and two days of muscle-strengthening activities that include all muscle groups (CDC). If they are unable to meet these recommendations it is recommended to aim to be as active as one is able. Although aging is inevitable, the quality of life is drastically improved with PA.
Quality of life (QOL) can be defined as an individual’s self-perception about their physical, social, and mental well-being (Barbosa, 2019). Retaining physical and cognitive function to delay the onset of disability, illness, and chronic disease can be challenging for the elderly population (Cunningham et al., 2020). As people age, chronic diseases can occur due to organs beginning to deteriorate such as cardiovascular diseases, skeletal diseases, and mental disorders (Kazmenia, 2020). Chronic diseases have become more prevalent in the current population partly due to an increase in the average life expectancy. PA may prevent, treat, or reduce the severity of disability that can come from chronic diseases and has positive effects on the quality of life (Carta et al., 2021).
COVID-19 and the Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition and Quality of Life in Elderly Adults
CSU Ballroom
he COVID-19 pandemic has had an overall negative impact on physical activity (PA). People who reduce their PA are subject to comorbidities including mood disorders (Puccinelli et al., 2021). This is significant for the elderly population as they are at high risk of mortality and other complications caused by contracting COVID-19. When older adults become more sedentary, their physical fitness is quickly lost due to reversibility (use or lose it). Due to the urge for the elderly population to isolate, as well as the restrictions and closure of facilities for the public, many elderly experienced reductions in PA and increases in sedentary behavior. For those ages 65 and older, the recommendations for PA include 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and two days of muscle-strengthening activities that include all muscle groups (CDC). If they are unable to meet these recommendations it is recommended to aim to be as active as one is able. Although aging is inevitable, the quality of life is drastically improved with PA.
Quality of life (QOL) can be defined as an individual’s self-perception about their physical, social, and mental well-being (Barbosa, 2019). Retaining physical and cognitive function to delay the onset of disability, illness, and chronic disease can be challenging for the elderly population (Cunningham et al., 2020). As people age, chronic diseases can occur due to organs beginning to deteriorate such as cardiovascular diseases, skeletal diseases, and mental disorders (Kazmenia, 2020). Chronic diseases have become more prevalent in the current population partly due to an increase in the average life expectancy. PA may prevent, treat, or reduce the severity of disability that can come from chronic diseases and has positive effects on the quality of life (Carta et al., 2021).
Recommended Citation
McCarthy, Jenna. "COVID-19 and the Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition and Quality of Life in Elderly Adults." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 12, 2022.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2022/poster-session-01/18
