Health risks physioprophylaxis through physical activity in people aged 50+ from Poland and Ukraine

Background. Studies of people aged 50+ undertaking physical activity show the possibility to delay and mitigate the ailments associated with the aging process. The aim of this study was to present the physioprophylaxis of the aging process in people aged 50 and above from the Lublin Voivodeship in Poland and the Ternopil region in Ukraine through physical activity, taking into account health condition, regularity of check-ups, sources of knowledge, forms of activity, age and the level of education. Material and methods. The study group involved 121 people from the Lublin Voivodeship and 102 people from the Ternopil region. A questionnaire designed by the authors was used in the study. Results. In the group of respondents from the Lublin Voivodeship, younger age was correlated with more frequent participation in power walks, dancing, Nordic walking, jogging, active tourism as well as strength and flexibility training (p<0.05). Better health condition was observed in those individuals who reported more frequent power walks, cycling, working on the plot, Nordic walking, active tourism and strength training (p<0.05). Statistically significant regularity of check-ups was reported only in individuals who practiced cycling (p<0.05). No correlations between these variables were reported in the study group from Ternopil (p>0.05). Conclusions. The analysis of the obtained data showed that study participants from Poland more often engage in physical activity and perceive their health condition as good more frequently than the respondents from Ukraine. Age and health status were the factors influencing the frequency and choice of physical activity forms undertaken by the respondents.