COMPARISON OF WELFARE LEVELS BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN ELDERLY CHILEAN ADULTS

Abstract

Benito Alonso Urra Tobar, Yessenia Berrios, Tomas Placencia

In view of the rapid growth of the major adult population, and considering the psychological and physical benefits that develop by the physical exercise, there was realized a comparative study of the levels of psychological well-being between groups of major adult. There was in use a mixed sequential design of independent application, with a sample of 43 persons for the quantitative phase, divided in two groups of 22 and 21 persons depending on the accomplishment of physical exercise and 25 persons in the qualitative phase. The results show a higher level of psychological well-being in the major adults who realize physical exercise, in comparison to the sedentary group, besides motivating factors that go from the extrinsic to intrinsic for the initiation and maintenance of the practice of exercise, as well as positive effects recognized in both groups, such as empathy, maintenance of fitness and physical and psychological health.