STUDY REGARDING THE ROLE OF AEROBIC GYMNASTICS IN INCREASING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY PEOPLE

Abstract

"Movement is is the greatest support for health; the man who thinks he can procure it through inaction would be as wise as the one condemning himself to silence in order to perfect his oratory skills", used to say Plutarch (Stoenescu G., 1987, pag. 5).

The main reason for choosing this theme is first of all the desire to demolish the antiquated idea saying that it is normal for old age to be hard, filled with illnesses, and frustration brought by loneliness, or by the lack of social activity.

The intention of this paper is to prove that movement must be made, mainly, with a prophylactic purpose, for prolonging youth, secondly, to improve certain conditions, and last but not least, for the fact that going to a gym can be a way to socialize and integrate in a group, a very important aspect for elderly people.

In supporting this theory, the well-known Romanian Academy member Ana Aslan said: "Sport is a source of health and freshness, a factor for longevity" (Stoenescu G.,1987, pag. 7).

Today, the notion of health is no longer regarded as a lack of suffering due to an illness. It is a quality state of life in which every physical, psychological, social component must be at its positive end. "This is the reason for which in civilized countries the term of health is often associated with fitness, understood as a very good biological state." (Macovei S., Vişan A., 2003, pag. 7)

In elderly people, more than in any other persons, physical exercise can be considered a natural "medicine", accessible and agreeable that can be used by anyone who wants to be healthy and in control of his body.