Physical Activities and its Effect on memory of The Elderly

Background: Physical activity generally refers to movement that enhances health.
Any body movement that works muscles and requires more energy than resting. Aim: the
study aimed to assess physical activity and its effect on memory of the elderly Research
design: Descriptive analytic design was utilized in this study. Settings: The study was
conducted in Geriatric home at Suez Canal University. Subjects: A convenient sample of 60
older adults, from the previous setting at age 60 or higher, without cognitive impairments.
Tools of data collection: First tool: Interviewing questionnaire, it was composed of 4 parts,
part one: socio-demographic data, part two: Medical history, and nutritional style. Part
three: Assess elderly's knowledge regarding to physiological changes, physical activity, and
exercise. Part four: Assess elderly's practice regarding to physical activities, and exercise.
Second tool: Observational checklist, it was composed of 4 parts, Part one: Assess elderly's
general health. Part two: Assess elderly's activities of daily living. Part three: Assess
elderly's mini mental state. Results: Regarding to elderly' knowledge, the current study
shows that, all 100.0% of the elderly had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding physiological
changes, importance of physical activity, exercise, and memory. The present study also
shows that, all 100.0% of the elderly had poor practice of physical activity. The current study
represents that, few 2.9% of the elderly had poor practice, around one fifth 15.7% had
average practice, majority 81.4% had good practice of activity of daily living, and no one of
the elderly had stupor, one third 34.3% had drowsy, and two thirds 65.7% had alert of mini
mental state. Conclusion: Elderly in the current study lacked appropriate knowledge,
practices, activity of daily living, and mini mental state were mostly unsatisfactory.
Recommendations: Health team member should be planning and implemented several
health educational programs regarding physical activities, which types of eating and drinks
that enhancing memory and brain function for elderly people in geriatric home, Conducting
physical activity programs for older persons that can be safe, effective in community settings,
and low cost therapeutic approach, and members of health team should be planning and
implemented several health educational programs regarding physical activities, which types
of eating and drinks that enhancing memory and brain function for elderly people in geriatric
home