Beneficios psicológicos de un programa proactivo de ejercicio físico para personas mayores
- Roberto Silva Piñeiro 1
- José Manuel Mayán Santos 2
- 1 Universidad de Vigo, España
- 2 Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, España
ISSN: 1138-2635, 1989-3809
Year of publication: 2016
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 24-32
Type: Article
More publications in: Escritos de psicología
Abstract
Many studies have addressed the benefits of physical activity in elderly people. However, the physical activity models followed have not always taken into account the role of active participation. In general, these models have been mainly influenced by directive methodologies and emphasise physical training; these aspects offer greater group control and less organizational effort. The main aim of this study was to compare two physical activity programs for elderly people and determine their effect on mood, self-esteem, and enjoyment with physical activity. The study participants were 72 women between 55 years and 70 years (M = 64.10; DT = 9.40) from the municipalities of Arousa-Norte (Galicia, Spain). The results show that the supervised exercise programs benefitted the participants’ psychological health, which differed according to the type of program. Thus, a unique physical exercise model cannot be endorsed in adulthood, because the role of the participants and the way they interact within exercise programs varies, leading to differing effects on health and therefore on everyday life. New multidimensional proposals should be developed that combine physical, mental, and social aspects within a movement-based approach.