The Relationship of Physical Activity with Happiness among the Elderly of Upper Assam

Abstract

Increased demographic transition is the new phase globally. This is leading to a remarkable increase in the number of people living longer, especially beyond the ages of sixty. At the same time, it is leading to many health challenges and loneliness. Old age brings in a lot of physical alterations along with emotional and social degenerations. The depletion in old age is prominent due to lack of physical activity which in turn affects the emotional and mental well-being of the individual. The present study tries to investigate the relationship of physical activity with happiness among the elderly of Upper Assam in India. It was hypothesized that physical activity and happiness would differ in terms of the Elderly populations’ marital status, family type and employment status. Further, physical activity would have a significant relationship with happiness in the elderly. A total sample of 100 participants were included in the study from the upper Assam districts of Jorhat and Dibrugarh. Data analysis indicated that there is no difference in terms of marital status, family type and employment status on physical activity and happiness. However, physical activity and happiness show a significant relationship among the elderly sample.