The Impact of Regular Exercise on Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Self-Efficacy in Older Adults

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Toros T., Ogras E. B., Toy A. B., Kulak A., ESEN H. T., Ozer S. C., ...More

Behavioral Sciences, vol.13, no.9, 2023 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 13 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/bs13090714
  • Journal Name: Behavioral Sciences
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Linguistic Bibliography, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: aging, life satisfaction, lifestyle, mental health, older adults, physical exercise, self-efficacy, self-esteem
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study employed the correlational survey model to examine how regular exercise influenced life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in men over 65. The study sample included a total of 215 participants, of whom 110 exercised regularly (for at least 45 min, three times a week), while 105 engaged in no physical exercise. Regular exercisers were found to score significantly higher on life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy scales as compared to non-exercisers. These scores also increased significantly with age and prolonged exercise history. A moderate and positive correlation was detected between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy among regular exercisers, while non-exercisers showed low to moderate correlations. The findings suggest that regular exercise can enhance life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy in the elderly male population. Such effects appear to be associated with greater age and lifetime exercise history, highlighting the value of regular physical exercise in improving the quality of life among older adults.