The effect of the sports activities performed by the age groups who stay in nursing hospital on the quality of life (Giresun example)

Aim: In our study, it was aimed to examine the effects of sports activities on the quality of life of advanced age groups living in nursing homes. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consists of a total of 23 volunteers, 6 women and 17 men, randomly selected among the elderly living in Giresun Nursing Home Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center. Research data were collected with a semi-structured interview form developed for this study. In this study, in the analysis of the data, firstly, the interview texts were carefully read and examined by the researchers. Then, the data were coded, themes were formed from the coded data, and the findings were defined and interpreted. SPSS 26 licensed statistical package program was used in the analysis of the data obtained in the study. Arithmetic mean, standard deviation and percentage values were determined for demographic information. Grouped descriptive statistics were performed between the variables. Results: The majority of individuals living in nursing homes have low educational status, have a good economic status, activities that they enjoy in their spare time are activities that enable them to move actively, some of them did a sport in their past, some of them did not take part in a sport in their past, the majority of them showed interest in sports after the exercises. It was determined that almost half of them had a relief in their sleep patterns after the exercises, and the quality of life of all of them increased after the exercises. Conclusion: In our study, it was determined that the exercises performed by the elderly increased their quality of life, as well as their interest in exercises with higher mobility. In this direction, it can be said that elderly individuals tend to exercise in order to have fun and increase their quality of life.