PHYSICAL-EMOTIONAL FITNESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: INFLUENCE ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ESTADO FÍSICO-EMOCIONAL Y ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA

Abstract

There are few studies that have evaluated the subjective perception of quality of life related to health in older adults after confinement periods. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the subjective perception of quality of life in elderly were influenced by the contact with the virus, the frequency of physical activity and some indicators of physical-emotional state (stress, pain, happiness, and gratitude). In addition, it was intended to determine which variables were more predictive of this perception of health. The scales of subjective happiness (SHS), gratitude (CG-6), subjective perception of health (SF-12), perceived stress (PSS), visual analogue scale of pain (VAS) and free time physical activity questionnaire (VREM) were applied to a sample of 71 elderly, mean age 63.07±5.49 years. The results showed that the participants with a lower degree of pain and stress and a higher perception of happiness indicated a better subjective perception of quality of life. Furthermore, high scores in happiness (OR=3.244; p<.017) and low scores in pain intensity (OR=12.083; p<.001) were postulated as the main predictors of having a high level of perceived health. In conclusion, the physical-emotional sensations experienced by the elderly during the pandemic are factors that influenced their subjective perception of quality of life related to health.