Effects of 12-week Exercises on Alexithymia, Depression and Quality of Life in Geriatric Individuals

Effects of 12-week Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on Alexithymia, Depression and Quality of Life in Geriatric Individuals

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on depression, alexithymia levels and quality of life of elderly individuals.

In this study, investigators hypothesized that aerobic and resistance exercises can increase the quality of life of elderly individuals by reducing their depression and alexithymia levels. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on depression, alexithymia levels and quality of life of elderly individuals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals aged 65 and over who volunteered to participate in the study,
• Conscious and without communication problems,
• No orthopedic injury that prevents walking
• Those who are physically inactive according to the International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire
• Those who have sufficient motivation to participate in the exercise program (will be evaluated by a one-on-one interview by the researchers)
• Being eligible to participate in an exercise program after a cardiac examination (resting ECG and questioning of cardiac symptoms, advanced tests such as exercise ECG test if necessary) performed by the physician.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a history of neuromuscular disease
• Serious medical condition (eg advanced malignancy or major neurological, psychiatric or endocrine disease, respiratory failure, etc.) that would prevent the person from participating in exercise training.
• Less than 1 year life expectancy
• Having an orthopedic injury that prevents walking
• Presence of advanced sensory deficit
• Having visual and hearing problems
• Not having sufficient communication skills (Mini Mental Test score below 24 points)
• Not having agreed to participate in the study
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Not being found suitable for exercise in the examination performed by physicians and physiotherapists