What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the role of physical activity as a therapy for improving mental health and quality of life among older adults.

April 14, 2026SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología0 citationsOpen Access

Movement as therapy an analytical study of the role of physical activity in building strong mental health for older adults

AAAnwar Al-NuaimKing Faisal University AHAhmed K. HassanKing Faisal University

Key Points

To evaluate the role of physical activity as a therapy for improving mental health and quality of life among older adults.
Cross-sectional quantitative design
Sample of 422 older adults aged ≥60 years
Utilized DASS-21 for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress
Conducted Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA)
Analyzed data using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and linear regression.
31% of respondents reported no physical activity; 69.2% participated in weekly physical activities.
Walking was the most common activity reported (92.4%).
Highly active individuals (10+ hours/week) had a mean DASS-21 score of 12.3, while inactive individuals had a score of 34.2.
Exercise level was a strong negative predictor of psychological distress (β = 0.41, p < 0.001).
Physical activity predicted 23% of the variance in DASS-21 scores (F = 31.28, p < 0.001).

Abstract

Background Healthy aging and community well-being are the priorities of Egypt Vision 2030; hence, the need to promote non-pharmacological approaches to mental health among the older adults. This paper examines how physical activity can be used as a form of therapy in improving the mental health and quality of life of older adults who attend sports clubs in EL Minya, Arab Republic of Egypt, using the notion of movement as therapy. Methods A cross-sectional, quantitative research design was used, and a sample of 422 older adults (aged ≥60 years) was used. The participants took a questionnaire in a structured form (Arabic version of DASS-21 to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress) and the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA). The data were reviewed on descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression to determine the relation between the level of physical activity and mental health outcomes, and the results were adjusted by age. Results It was found that almost one-third (31) of the respondents did not have any physical activity, and the remaining 69.2% participated in different levels of physical activity weekly. The most common was walking (92.4%). The level of mental health symptoms was also much lower in the highly active group; that is, individuals who exercised 10 h/week or more had a mean DASS-21 of 12.3 (normal) versus 34.2 among inactive ones (clinically significant distress). The relationship between dose and response was evident (all p 0.001). Conclusion The level of exercise was the strongest negative predictor of psychological distress ( β = 0.41, p 0.001) and could predict 23 percent of the variance of the DASS-21 scores ( F = 31.28, p 0.001). The results justify the inclusion of customized and socially entrenched movement initiatives, especially walking and light aerobic activities, in national aging and mental health policies. This initiative can make physical activity not a personal habit but a civic intervention, both dignified, resilient, and mentally healthy aging, in accordance with Egypt Vision 2030.

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