A PRE-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM BASED ON WHO GUIDELINES ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ELDERLY LIVING IN SELECTED COMMUNITY, WESTERN U.P

Abstract

Introduction: Population ageing is a major public health concern, and maintaining quality of life among older adults has become a healthcare priority. Physical inactivity is common among the elderly and is associated with chronic diseases, functional decline, and poor quality of life. In India, the growing elderly population and limited access to structured physical activity programs further increase these challenges. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a WHO guideline-based physical activity program on the quality of life among elderly individuals residing in a selected community of Western Uttar Pradesh. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity program based on WHO guidelines on quality of life among elderly individuals at selected community area, Western U.P. Methods: The study was conducted in Jai Bhem Nagar, Meerut among 65 elderly individuals by using convenient sampling technique who met the eligibility criteria and written consent was taken from sample. One group pre-test and post-test design were adopted. The data was collected with WHOQOL-BREF tool. After the implementation of the interventions for two months the post-test was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Quality of life significantly improved following the WHO guideline-based physical activity program. The mean quality of life score increased from 41.38 ± 10.21 (pre-test) to 50.31 ± 13.06 (post-test), with a mean difference of 8.93. The improvement was statistically significant (t = 4.34, p < 0.001), demonstrating the effectiveness of the intervention. No significant association was found between baseline quality of life and selected demographic variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that the WHO guideline-based physical activity program was effective in improving the quality of life among elderly individuals in a selected community area of Western U.P. A significant increase in post test quality of life scores was observed following the intervention. The findings also revealed no significant association between pre-test quality of life scores and selected demographic variables, indicating that the program was beneficial regardless of demographic characteristics.