THE HEALTH IMPACT OF TOURISM ON THE PSYCHOPHYSICAL STATE OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

The purpose of our research is to ascertain the impact of tourism activities on the psychophysical state of elderly individuals. Materials and methods. 221 people took part in the transformative experiment aged 60-65, who attend the University of the Third Age (152 women and 69 men). It is worth mentioning that the frequency of classes at the University of the Third Age was 3 classes per week, lasting 40-60 minutes. The program is designed for 6 months and consists of preparatory (adaptation), main (improvement) and supporting periods. Each of the periods was aimed at achieving a set of tasks. To assess the quality of life SF-36 was used. To assess the satisfaction of the participants' lives, the Life Satisfaction Index (LSIA). Physical activity was evaluated using the PWC150 test. The level of success in psychosocial adaptation was assessed using a modified Rogers and Diamond questionnaire. Mind performance was assessed using Bourdon's correction test. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the statistical significance of the differences between the data. In each case, the hypothesis was tested, and the p-value was calculated. Conclusions regarding the significance of testing were made at the 0.05 significance level. In the conditions of the University of the Third Age, during the implementation of the concept, positive dynamics of indicators of motor activity, quality and satisfaction with life, mental and physical working capacity, rates of aging, socio-psychological adaptation, cognitive functions, psycho-emotional state were fixed. However, we note significant changes in integral indicators of socio-psychological adaptation at the end of the study, namely, in the indicators of self-perception (women – 68.8 ± 0.7 points; men – 78.8 ± 4.1 points) and emotional comfort (women 63.3 ± 1.7 points ; men 69.2 ± 1.2 points) (p=0.05). As was anticipated, for elderly individuals who continue self-education in their later years, the tourism program had a positive impact on cognitive functioning indicators. Conclusion. Involvement in health tourism has a positive impact on the psychophysical state of elderly individuals. The combination of physical activity, social interaction and the acquisition of new experiences contributes to the improvement of emotional, physical and cognitive health.