PROMOTING HEALTH AND ACTIVE LONGEVITY THROUGH MASS SPORTS AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Population aging has increased the need for effective strategies to preserve health, functional capacity, and quality of life among older adults. Structured mass sport programs represent an accessible approach to increasing physical activity by offering age-appropriate exercise in a socially supportive environment. The study was conducted between March and September 2024 and involved 80 residents of Astana, Kazakhstan, aged 61–74 years, with equal representation of men and women. Participants were assigned to an experimental group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). The experimental group completed supervised outdoor exercise sessions three times per week, whereas the control group maintained their usual lifestyle. Individual interviews were conducted before and after the intervention to assess participants’ self-reported health and attitudes toward physical activity. Muscle tone, flexibility, endurance, and general physical performance were also evaluated. Statistical methods were applied to assess the significance and reliability of the observed changes. Following five months of supervised training, 88% of participants in the experimental group reported an improvement in general well-being. By contrast, 67% of the control group reported a deterioration in their overall health during the same period. Improvements in physical performance were observed in 90% of women and 95% of men participating in the exercise program. Muscle strength increased in 65% of women and 76% of men, while endurance improved in 55% and 65%, respectively. Increased quadriceps muscle tone was recorded in 66% of the experimental group, and improved biceps muscle tone was identified in 60%, with greater improvements generally observed among men. In contrast, participants in the control group demonstrated a negative trend in muscle tone and functional capacity. Participation in a structured mass sport program was associated with improvements in self-reported well-being, muscle strength, endurance, muscle tone, and overall physical performance among older adults. The findings suggest that supervised and age-appropriate mass sport activities may represent an effective strategy for supporting healthy and active aging.

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