ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND GERONTOLOGY IN THE REPUBLIC OF COTE DIVOIRE: STUDY OF DETERMINANTS AMONG ADULTS AGED 50 AND OVER IN ANYAMA

Objective: Older people are physically less active and more sedentary than all other age groups because they are frail. They also have functional limitations or suffer from chronic illnesses.Yet physical activity (PA) slows down age-related physiological changes, improves the physical, mental and social health of older people and helps prevent chronic diseases associated with old age. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the level of knowledge and regular practice of PA and to identify the determinants of regular PA practice (factors that encourage or provoke reluctance to practise PA) among people aged over 60 in the Anyama commune (Abidjan, Cote dIvoire). Methods:An administered questionnaire was used to show the level of knowledge,practice and determinant of regular physical activity among 213 elderly people in the Anyama commune. Conclusion: It is therefore necessary to take action to raise public awareness of the benefits of regular physical activity and to improve the physical activity environment in order to increase the level of physical activity among the elderly.