Abstract

BOHORQUEZ, María del Rocío; LORENZO, Macarena  and  GARCIA, Alfonso Javier. Happiness and physical activity in the elderly. Escritos de Psicología [online]. 2013, vol.6, n.2, pp.6-12. ISSN 1989-3809.  https://dx.doi.org/10.5231/psy.writ.2013.2106.

The overall objective of this study was to explore the relationship between past and present happiness and physical activity among people over 65 years old. Participants voluntarily completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the the Spanish version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Happiness Scale. The results show that the participants are less happy now than they were in the past. Furthermore, the current practice of physical activity leads to an increase in happiness, the happiest individuals being those who are the most active at this stage of life. Finally, being involved in physical activity at some point in the life cycle (past, present, or continuously) is associated with a higher level of happiness than that associated with a sedentary lifestyle. The mechanisms involved in the protective role of happiness remain to be determined. The protective role of physical activity has to be taken into account in the design of programs and interventions promoting active and positive aging.

Keywords : Happiness; Well-being; Exercise; Old Age.

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