Zusammenfassung

Introduction: The proportion of older adults in the population continues to grow in the developing countries. In addition, persons at or over the age of 60 years have decreased quality of life in geriartrics because of several factors, such as low physical activity and impairment in mobility. This study was performed to assess the effect of group-based exercise program on physical functional independency in order to finally increase the quality of life in older adults. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in old women and men in 2005-2007. In this study, 50 elderly men and women were randomly divided into two groups; experimental (25) and control (25).Group-based exercise program was administrated to the individuals of experimental group for 8 weeks (3 time a week) and subsequently using SF-36 questionnaire, the level of quality of life was measured in the two groups at the beginning and the end of the study. The data was analyzed using manvitni , chi-square and nonparametric tests. Results: Using group-based exercise program, increase in mean level of quality of life in different dimensions; physical functional, role functional, pain, general health, emotional well-being, social functional , emotional functional and mental health was statistically significant(p0.01). Conclusion: Our study results showed that use of a regular and prolonged exercise program can increase the level of quality of life in older adults in different dimensions.