Effect of Physical Activities Training and Massages on the Physical Fitness of Elderly People

Abstract

Study purpose. The study aimed to investigate the effect of physical activities and massages on the physical fitness of elderly people. Materials and methods. The participants were 32 females aged 62–75 who were willing to participate in the study. They were selected through a systematic random sampling. The participants were divided into two groups: the experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed physical activities such as Qi Gong and Ruesi Dadton (RSD), and received a massage for 90 minutes a day, 3 days a week, for a period of 8 weeks. The control group did not perform the physical activities in question. Quantitative data were gathered by measuring the elderly people’s body potential such as balance, strength of the leg and arm muscles, flexibility, flexibility of the shoulders, cardiovascular and respiratory endurance before and after training in the fourth and eighth weeks. Qualitative data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview. Results. The study found that following the training in the fourth and eighth weeks, the experimental group had a better mean of body balance, muscular strength in arms and legs, flexibility in shoulders, cardiovascular and respiratory endurance than before training and the control group at a statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusions. As regards the benefits to the physical fitness, it was found that the subjects had a better body balance, strength and endurance, better mental health, and more socialization.