Effects of outdoor recreational physical activities: a retrospective study on adherence and impact on motor abilities in elderly individuals

Introduction: The benefits of physical activity are mainly reflected in the identification of successful ageing models that reduce negative evaluations of ageing; the attempt of physicians and exercise experts is to adapt motor proposals to the needs of individuals over 70-years-old in order to help increase their sense of self-efficacy, perception of security and life satisfaction. Purpose:This study aims to (a) verify the effectiveness of physical activity carried out in a recreational form on the motor skills of people over 70 years old and, (b) to ascertain what level of adherence may actually be beneficial. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, observational cohort study using data from the socio-health project "Wellness Waterfront" activated in the city of Bisceglie (Italy) from May 2022 to August 2022. Data were obtained from the project database until August 31, 2022. The project involved the sedentary population over 70 years old residing in the city. A sample (n=107) of women over 75 years old (76.4±3.3 years, 68.8±9.4 kg, 166.4±6.2) participated in the survey. The 8-foot-up-and-go, 5-reps sit-to-stand, Single-leg-stance test, Functional Reach test and Falls Efficacy Scale International were presented at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of recreational physical activity. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences in the 33.5%-70% adherence subgroup (baseline vs final values, p<0.05) in the assessments of the 5-reps sit-to-stand, Single-leg-stance test, Functional Reach test and Falls Efficacy Scale International. The subgroup with >70% adherence showed statistically significant differences (baseline vs final values, p<0.01) in the 8-foot-up-and-go, the 5-reps sit-to-stand, the Single-leg-stance test, the Functional Reach test, and the Falls Efficacy Scale International. The subgroup with >70% adherence also showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) when comparing the final values against the 33.3%-70% adherence subgroup in the assessments of the 8-foot-up-and go, the 5-reps sit-to-sand, the Single-leg-stance test, the Functional Reach test, and the Falls Efficacy Scale International. Conclusion: The values obtained in this study from the group with adherence > 70% are in line with what has been shown in the literature even with younger age samples. The results obtained by the group with adherence between 33.3% and 70%, while showing a statistically significant difference from the values recorded in the baseline, are below what has been obtained from multimodal motor activity programs in the literature. This aspect would suggest that recreational-type activities were effective for the group's baseline condition, but the results obtained are far from what could actually be achieved with higher adherence. The potential from recreational physical activities presented free of charge to reach the greatest number of people has significant social and health value. Recreational physical activities represent the first step in bringing individuals over 70years-old closer to active lifestyles. Indeed, they have easily modulated intensity levels and allow presenting motor tasks adapted to the elderly population.