Author(s): GERTEN, S., KOESTER, D., SCHACK, T., Institution: BIELEFELD UNIVERSITY, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 868

INTRODUCTION:
It has been shown that older adults who exhibit a higher level of quality of life (QoL) have a lower overall mortality rate. The concept of QoL encompasses domains such as physical and mental health, and QoL can be improved through exercise training. Depression is a serious mental illness that is frequently linked to diminished health-related quality of life (Qol) and reduced physical activity. The question of which form of exercise exerts the greatest impact on QoL remains unresolved. The aim of this RCT was to determine the impact of a 16-week programme including track and field athletics (motor skill training) and a walking training (cardiovascular training), compared to a toning and relaxation training (active control group) on QoL of the elderly population.
METHODS:
A battery of motoric tests (cardiorespiratory fitness - six-minute-walking test, jumping ability - counter movement jumps, lower body muscle strength - sit to stand test, hamstring and lower back flexibility - sit-and-reach test and balance - one-leg stance) and psychological questionnaires (QoL - SF-36, depression - geriatric depression scale) was administered prior to and following the training intervention. A total of 66 participants were randomly assigned to one of the three (intervention) groups. Participants were excluded from data analysis if they were absent for one test day or more than 25% of the training sessions. The remaining group consisted of 46 participants, ranging in age from 56 to 79 years (age: m = 64, SD = 5; female 23; BMI m = 24, SD = 5; MoCA m = 27, SD = 2) were subjected to a mixed 2x3 ANOVA analysis (time x group).
RESULTS:
For physical quality of life there was neither an interaction effect time by group, nor a main effect for group or time. In contrast, for mental quality of life the analyses revealed a significant main effect for time [F(1,43) = 4.21, p = 0.046, η² = 0.01] but neither an interaction of time by group, nor a main effect of group. For the geriatric depression scale there was a marginally significant interaction effect time by group [F(2,43) = 2.93, p = 0.064, η² = 0.02], and a marginally significant main effect for time [F(1,43) = 3.63, p = 0.063, η² = 0.01], but no effect for group. The six-minute-walking test ANOVA revealed a significant interaction of time by group [F(2,43) = 6.67, p = 0.003, η² = 0.02], a significant effect for time [F(1,43) = 48.08, p < 0.001, η² = 0.05], but no main effect for group.
CONCLUSION:
The current findings suggest a group-independent enhancement in cardiorespiratory fitness (most pronounced in the walking group) and QoL. Furthermore, the investigation revealed a marginally effect on depression after 16 weeks of physical training. Therefore, in addition to motor fitness, various training programmes may also improve mental health in old age. Overall, the present findings underline the effectiveness of various forms of physical activity for the elderly.