Aim:
The aim of the study was to examine the LTPA of the elderly aged 65 plus, living in the Lubelskie voivodeship.
Material and methods:
The research was carried out as part of the nationwide PolSenior project. 313 senior citizens aged 65+ with the use of surveys.
Results:
The respondents' participation in physical activity declines with age. Men are physically active longer. 76.0% of men and 59.3% of women took short walks near the house. Frequent form of physical activity among the respondents was work in the allotment or garden declared by men (51.2%) and women (40.4%). Nearly three times as many men engage cycling (30.5%) as compared to women (11.4%). The dominant reason for respondents’ participation in physical activity is the health aspect declared by 77.2% of the men and 50.5% of the women surveyed.
Conclusions:
The physical activity of seniors from the Lublin region is unsatisfactory, and fails to meet the WHO recommendations in the field of prevention of chronic diseases. However, it does not differ significantly from the LTPA level of all Poles surveyed as part of the PolSenior project and Europeans as part of the Eurobarometer survey. Such actions will promote the maintenance of functional physical fitness of this age group, and, consequently, counteract the progressive disability. Availability of LTPA classes for seniors is greater in cities than in rural areas. It would be worth developing solutions at the national level that would counteract discrimination in access to LTPA classes in small towns and rural areas.