Longitudinal Study on the Effects of Physical Exercise on Loneliness and Mental Health of old adults

Objective: This paper explores the mechanism of loneliness and physical exercise in old adults, and provides a theoretical basis for promoting the mental health level of the old adults and the development of social interaction ability. Methods: A cluster random sampling method was used to investigate the loneliness, physical exercise and mental health of 476 community old adults in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province. Result: Physical exercise has a significant positive predictive effect on mental health level (β=0.420, P<0.001), while mental health level has a significant negative predictive effect on loneliness (β=-0.200, P<0.001); Psychological health level also has a significant positive predictive effect on physical exercise (β=0.210, P<0.001), while loneliness has a significant negative predictive effect on psychological health level (β=-0.176, P<0.001). Conclusion: There is a longitudinal relationship between physical exercise, old adults loneliness and mental health. We should strengthen the support of physical exercise for old adults and improve the mental health of old adults, so as to effectively alleviate the loneliness of old adults.