Physical Leisure Activities and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults

Physical experience has a significant effect on older adults, especially on enhancing psychological well-being. A cross-sectional survey were conducted with 120 healthy older adults (mean age 69.0 years; 67.5% female), who indicated what activities and how often they undertook and filled in the short version of WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF), which measured their life satisfaction in four domains. The results show that both the frequency and the intensity of physical activities improve life satisfaction. Older adults with low activity levels rarely choose cognitive or physically demanding activities over less demanding activities. The most active older adults prefer frequent but light physical activity, social interactions and solitary entertainment.