Benefits of physical exercises in elderly people with associated illnesses

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: The population aging represents a serious health problem. A physical exercise program will be beneficial for elderly people with associated illnesses. The objective of this study was the development of a physical exercise program in order to benefit the cardiovascular function. Method: A descriptive, prospective study was carried out with 20 patients (men and women equally) over 60 years of age in Cifuentes municipality. Results: The average age was 68.9 years. There was a prevalence of arterial hypertension, chronic ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal diseases. Twenty percent of the patients were considered as frail elderly people. There were no significant differences concerning the consumption of medications according to the sex, however there was a significant reduction of the consumption of medications in females at the end of the study – from 8.3 to 6.6 daily  (x²  = 14,1 p < 0,05). The exercise program used had a very significant statistical result on the physical and psychic wellbeing of the patients (x²  = 24,1, p < 0,01); and a total of 16 elderly people (80 %), x² = 15.4, p < 0,05, achieved a control of the arterial tension and the cardiac rhythm. It reduced the rate-pressure product and the myocardial oxygen consumption. Conclusions: The implementation of a physical exercise program, under the supervision of trained personnel, contributes to control the arterial tension and the cardiac rhythm, and favors an optimal cardiac output. It also has a very positive effect on the physical and psychic wellbeing of this group of patients because it improves their self-esteem and their desire to live.