ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine how physical activity counseling services and exercise prescriptions affect the quality of life and the activity levels of sedentary patients in the urban region of Antalya, Turkey.

Method: Sedentary patients aged 50-70, without any physical health condition, and with physical and mental problems participated in this study. Inclusion criteria were the ability to communicate and a tendency to avoid physical activity. The intervention group had 51 individuals and the control group 69. The intervention group was advised to exercise and received training in physical activity during their medical encounter. They received an exercise prescription and a First Step Education Kit. Exercise prescriptions were renewed every month. Outcome measures on the effectiveness of exercise prescription intervention were measured by daily energy expenditure, anthropometric measures, functional abilities and exercise measures. These measurements were made at baseline level and were repeated at the 3rd and 6th months of study.

Results: A significant improvement between first and last measures of daily energy expenditure, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, resting pulse, lower extremity strength, upper extremity strength, lower extremity flexibility, upper extremity flexibility, and balance were observed in the intervention group (p<0.05).  Significant differences  between intervention and control groups were observed in systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, resting pulse, lower extremity strength, upper extremity strength, lower extremity flexibility, and balance (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Exercise prescription in Primary Health Care Centers showed positive improvements on physical activity level and functional abilities in aging sedentary patients.

Key words: Aging, Exercise prescription, Physical Activity, Turkey.