Successful Ageing: The Role of Physical Activity and Its Barriers in Polish Men of Advanced Age

Abstract

One of the most important factors of successful ageing is a sufficient level of motor independence, which is strongly associated with an appropriate level of activity. It was decided to determine the relationship between barriers to physical activity and physical activity and health self-assessment in healthy and chronically ill men, among 206 men aged 65–83 years. A relationship was found between kinesiophobia, physical activity and self-assessment of health, and the differences between health self-assessment in the healthy and chronically ill. No differences were found regarding activity. Important factors affecting the health of older men are selfawareness of being chronically sick, BMI and level of physical activity. A relationship exists between kinesiophobia, physical activity and self-assessment of health. The awareness of being chronically sick, BMI and level of physical activity are the most significant factors affecting the health self-assessment of older men.

Keywords

• advanced age
• barriers to physical activity
• kinesiophobia
• successful ageing