Author(s)

Monica Emma Liubicich, Filippo Candela, Daniele Magistro, Emanuela Rabaglietti, Enrique Ortega

Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
University Interfaculty School of Motor Science (SUISM), Research Centre in Motor and Sport Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

The present study aims at verifying whether participation in a physical activity programme has positive effects on the daily life autonomy and vitality of elderly people living in residential care facilities by the mediation of their physical well- being. Fifty-one institutionalised individuals took part in the study. The control group included 11 people (84.26, ± 7.4 years), whereas the experimental group was made up of 40 people (85 ± 6.6 years). The experimental group was involved in a physical activity programme twice a week. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire, the Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the Tinetti Test were administered to the participants. The linear regression method as well as Sobel’s formula were used for the analysis. The results show that participation in a physical activity programme has positive effects on autonomy in bathing and on the participants’ sense of vitality due to the mediation of physical functioning. These results confirm the importance of physical activity for the elderly populations living in residential care facilities.

Physical Activity; Basic Activities of Daily Living; Older Elderly; Exercise; Mediation; Health

Liubicich, M. , Candela, F. , Magistro, D. , Rabaglietti, E. and Ortega, E. (2012) Physical functioning: The mediating effect on ADLs and vitality in elderly living in residential care facilities. “Act on ageing”: A pilot study. Health, 4, 407-414. doi: 10.4236/health.2012.47064.