Physical and Mental Characteristics in Active Elderly People

Today's world is characterized among other things by a progressive increase in the aging population, due to a decrease in the birth rate and an increase in life expectancy. In developed countries, the number of older people is increasing, largely due to significant advances in health sciences and new life habits. The aim of this study is to describe an active population over 60 years old, which complies with the concept of successful aging, in order to know its characteristics both at a physical and mental health level and to be able to make recommendations from physiotherapy. Active people over 60 years of age recruited from two associations (Amics de la Nau Gran, and Hogares) from the city of Valencia, Spain will be part of the study.

Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, the level of physical activity performed using the IPAQ questionnaire, quality of life using the SF-12v2, sleep quality using the Pittsburg questionnaire, and mood using the depression scale and Goldberg's anxiety, as well as functional tests to assess respiratory status.

Today's world is characterized among other things by a progressive increase in the aging population, due to a decrease in the birth rate and an increase in life expectancy. In developed countries, the number of older people is increasing, largely due to significant advances in health sciences and new life habits. The practice of physical activity is rapidly becoming a constant among the population (as its many health benefits are becoming known) and increasingly among the elderly population. As there are no previous studies in our country that observe and relate different physical and mental aspects in older active population that complies with the concept of "successful aging", it has been decided to carry out this research to try to detect the benefits and deficiencies present in the condition health of people considered active and over 65 years. From the results obtained, recommendation strategies from physiotherapy can be defined and the effects that the practice of physical activity has on different aspects of the person's health will be shown. Our hypothesis of the present study is that active older people who frequently engage in physical activity have good mental and physical health, as well as good respiratory condition and quality of life.

Objective: Describe an active population over 60 years old, which complies with the concept of successful aging, in order to know its characteristics both at a physical and mental health level and to be able to make recommendations from physiotherapy.

In addition, analyze the state and the different respiratory variables in an active elderly population, know the state of mental health, detect signs related to anxiety or depression, know the quality and possible sleep disorders. Also analyze and relate physical health and mental health, and know the level of quality of life in this population group.

Material and methods Study design. Descriptive study developed at the University of Valencia. Participants. Active people over 60 years of age recruited from two associations from the city of Valencia, Spain will be part of the study.

Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, the level of physical activity performed using the IPAQ questionnaire, quality of life using the SF-12v2, sleep quality using the Pittsburg questionnaire, and mood using the depression scale and Goldberg's anxiety, as well as functional tests to assess respiratory status.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* That they obtain in the IPAQ questionnaire on physical activity values belonging to category 2 (moderate level of physical activity) or 3 (high level of physical activity), that is, belonging to the group of ACTIVE people.
* That they are suitable in the Lobo Mini Cognitive Exam, with a score greater than or equal to 24 (with an adequate level of cognition, necessary to carry out the study).
* Meet the characteristics of "successful aging" (not having suffered in the last two years stroke or cerebrovascular accident, arteriosclerosis, angina, acute myocardial infarction, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, chronic cardiovascular disease, neurological disease or psychological alteration).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Under 60 years not active according to the IPAQ
* Score less than 24 in the Lobo Mini Cognitive Exam (MEC),
* Those people who due to their physical condition cannot carry out the tests with guarantees of safety.