Methods and didactics of motor activities in the elderly

Over the next 30 years the number of older persons will gradually increase in most countries, along with disabilities, and more attention will be paid to the improvement of quality of life rather than to the increase of life expectancy. Although aging is an unavoidable process, many diseases and disabilities can be prevented, or at least delayed, through appropriate physical activity programs. The boundary between the disabilities caused by disease and those associated with functional limitations, often related to incorrect habits and lifestyles, is uncertain. Furthermore, it is also uncertain whether different life expectancy and risk of death depend on environmental differences or on differences in physical activity related to the environment. Paffenbarger’s 1 studies have shown that individuals physically active have a longer life expectancy than sedentary persons. Specifically, the study conducted on 17,000 alumni of the Harvard University 1 has demonstrated that individuals more physically active showed a statistically significant reduction in the relative risk of death from all causes and from cardiovascular diseases and that the magnitude of the effect was directly related to the amount of physical activity. The same study also showed that people who had begun to practice regular physical activity in adulthood or in more advanced age showed the same mortality rate as those who had been active all life long, and that, on the contrary, active individuals who had become sedentary with advancing age showed the same risk of death as those who had been sedentary all life long. We can therefore say that there are many confirmations of the beneficial effects of an active lifestyle and a moderate physical activity and that good physical fitness has positive effects on longevity as much as a regular physical activity on risk of mortality (particularly from respiratory and vascular causes). However, we should also consider that often those who practice regular physical activity lead healthier lifestyles, get sick less often, rarely smoke, follow a balanced diet, avoid weight gain, and pay more attention to medical controls and disease prevention. This, obviously, might bias the results of some scientific studies: however, the correction for potential confounders often improves the reliability of study results. 4 We can easily understand why aging “per se” substantially contributes to the increase of medical and social costs. In fact, the fragmentation of families and the economic globalization have led to an excessive institutionalization of older persons and to an abnormal proliferation of nursing homes. As a consequence, older persons experience loneliness, depression, along with reduction of physical activity, disability and renunciation of life.