Effect of Participation in Regular Physical Activity on Depressive Symptoms in Elderly: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
* Priya, Research Scholar, School of Studies in Physical Education, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.)
** Prof. C.D. Agashe, HOD, School of Studies in Physical Education, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.)
ABSTRACT
Population ageing is a well-known phenomenon with significant inference for the developmental trajectory of nations and it is necessary to manage psychological functioning in the elderly. Good psychological functioning requires the management of depressive symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effect of participation in regular physical activity on depressive symptoms in the elderly with a cross-cultural perspective. For this study, a total of 400 elderly participants aged between 60 and 70 were selected, with an average age of 63.11 years. The sample was divided into two equal groups: 200 tribal and 200 non-tribal elderly subjects and both groups included 100 elderly with regular participation in physical activity and 100 elderly with sedentary lifestyles. To assess depressive symptoms in elderly participants, the Hindi version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-H), validated by Ganguli (1999), was used. The main effect of regular participation in physical activity on depressive symptoms in the elderly was found to be statistically significant and it indicates that physically active elderly show lower depressive symptoms compared to sedentary elderly. The main effect of culture on depressive symptoms in the elderly was not found to be statistically significant. The interaction between participation in physical activity and culture does not significantly affect depressive symptoms in the elderly. It was concluded that promoting physical activity in elderly populations plays a critical role in managing their depressive symptoms irrespective of their cultural background.
Keywords: Elderly, Physical Activity, Culture, Depressive Symptoms
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2501I02S01V13P0004
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