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dc.contributor.advisorBartfay, Wally J.
dc.contributor.authorPiasecka, Barbara
dc.date.accessioned2017-07-13T13:16:48Z
dc.date.accessioned2022-03-29T16:56:41Z
dc.date.available2017-07-13T13:16:48Z
dc.date.available2022-03-29T16:56:41Z
dc.date.issued2017-01-01
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10155/782
dc.description.abstractBackground: Arthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease, which affects two million older Canadians, of which the majority are older females (65+ years). With no cure, methods to improve arthritic symptoms are essential to maintain physical and mental health. Physical activity (PA) and exercise may be advantageous strategies for improving arthritis-related symptoms and mental health outcomes, yet there is a lack of consistent evidence surrounding these terms. Aims and Significance: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the health-related benefits of PA and exercise and assess the relationship between leisure-time activity levels and pain; discomfort; physical function; range of motion (ROM); mobility, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in females aged 65 years and older. Methods: 40 older females residing in the Durham Region of Ontario participated in the study of which 60% (N=24) were categorized as active (71 years mean age) and 40% (N=16) were considered inactive (82 years mean age). Self-reported questionnaires were employed to measure health outcomes including a visual analog scale (VAS), a health questionnaire, medical outcomes short form-12 (SF-12) and activity levels questionnaire for older adults (ALQOA). Results: Older active arthritic females reported less pain (p<0.001); less discomfort (p<0.001); higher physical function (p<0.0001); higher ROM (p<0.001); higher mobility (p<0.0001), and higher HRQOL (p<0.0001) scores, in comparison to their inactive counterparts. Conclusion: In support of my hypotheses, older females with arthritis who were active reported significantly: (i) Less pain; (ii) lower discomfort; (iii) higher HRQOL; (iv) higher mobility; (v) higher physical function, and (vi) higher ROM. These preliminary findings suggest that older females with arthritis living an active lifestyles can have both physical and mental health benefits.en
dc.description.sponsorshipUniversity of Ontario Institute of Technologyen
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subjectPhysical activityen
dc.subjectExcerciseen
dc.subjectArthritisen
dc.subjectPainen
dc.subjectOlder adultsen
dc.titleEffects of physical activity and exercise on physical and mental health outcomes in female older adults with arthritisen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.degree.levelMaster of Health Sciences (MHSc)en
dc.degree.disciplineCommunity Healthen


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