The Effects of Participation in Physical Activity and Exercise on Working Memory and Quality of Life of the Elderly with Parkinson

ABSTRACT: Background and Purpose: Given the significant challenges and limitations faced by elderly individuals with Parkinson's disease in terms of functional ability, coupled with the scarcity of research in this particular domain, the primary focus of this study is to investigate whether engaging in physical activity and sports can enhance functional memory and improve the quality of life for elderly individuals with Parkinson's disease.  Methods: The present investigation utilized a descriptive-correlational approach. A total of 69 elderly individuals with Parkinson's disease (34 women) were selected as the statistical population for this study using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using standard questionnaires. Independent t-test, Pearson correlation test and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. Results: The average BMI for participants was 26.8, indicating overweight classification. BMIs varied from 16.3 (underweight) to 42.17 (obese). More than 60% of the participants in this study were either overweight or obese. Results reveled that physical activity significantly affected working memory (T= 4.394) and quality of life (T= 3.964). Results of model fit indicated that the research model has good fit. Conclusions: The findings of this study have confirmed the positive impact of physical activities on enhancing the functional readiness and overall quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease. This suggests that engaging in physical activities can significantly enhance daily performance, leading to increased selfconfidence, independence, satisfaction, and overall quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease.