Abstract

REYES-RINCON, Hannia  and  CAMPOS-USCANGA, Yolanda. Health benefits of green physical activity for older adults. Ene. [online]. 2020, vol.14, n.2, 14207.  Epub Jan 25, 2021. ISSN 1988-348X.

Aging is an irreversible fact that nowadays has become relevant for the increase of life expectancy and with it the old adult who require strategies to have right life quality. There are evidences that two factors favor life quality in different population groups: physical activity and the contact with natural environment. For that reason, it was made a systematical review to identify motivation of old adults to do physical activity in natural environment (spaces) and the effects of in their health. The findings suggest that although there are barriers like insecurity and lack of appropriate spaces, there are also favorable conditions to do it, such as major connection with nature, increase in social cohesion and more self confidence. Physical activity in natural environments improves psychosocial well-being, increases exercise adherence, favors a major moving capacity and decreases mortality rate in this age group. Therefore, green exercise can be a good strategy to favor life quality in old adults.

Keywords : older adult; physical activity; exercise therapy; nature; health promotion.

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