Examining the physical activity levels of the elderly during the pandemic process

Examining the Physical Activity Levels of the Elderly During the Pandemic Process The Covid-19 pandemic creates serious threats to the lives and physical health of people around the world, but also triggers the formation of a wide variety of psychological problems such as grief, loss, panic disorder, anxiety disorder and depression. cause is important. This research was conducted to determine the physical activity levels of individuals aged 50+. The population of the research consists of 348 people residing district of Elazig province. The data of the research is limited to the participants residing in Elazig in Sivrice June 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic period. It is assumed that the lack of physical activity will cause health problems, especially in the elderly, in studies examined in accordance with the universe of the research. The general survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in the study. In determining the physical activity levels of the participants, the Turkish version of the International Physical Activity Evaluation Questionnaire, whose validity and reliability was made, was used. SPSS program was used in the analysis of the data obtained in the study. As a result of the study, the mean of total physical activity was measured as 603.74±519.19. This result shows that the participants have low activity in the vigorous, moderate and walking activity categories. Vigorous physical activity average (206.43±147.90MET-min/week), moderate-intensity physical activity average (198.84±111.39MET-min/week), walking physical activity average (491.46±415.15MET- min/week) and it was concluded that he had an inactivity level. It was concluded that the physical activity levels of the women, married, ideal weight, doing sports, 50-55 and 56-60 age group, farmer and housewife, primary and secondary school graduates were high. As a result, it was concluded that the physical activity levels of the elderly individuals remained at a very low level during the pandemic period, and the physical activity levels of the farmers who were under the restriction were slightly higher than those of the housewives who remained within the framework of social responsibility. Concerns have arisen that health problems arising from sedentary life will have negative effects on elderly individuals. It is recommended to carry out applied and informative studies in this area. Keywords: Physical activity, Elderly individuals, Covid19, Pandemic Period