Physical Activity Linked to Higher Quality of Life Among Older Adults in Indonesia, New Study Finds

Gloria Florensia Br Surbakti Rabu, Agustus 19, 2026

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FORMOSA NEWS

A new study conducted between June and July 2026 demonstrates a direct positive connection between physical activity levels and overall quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in Indonesia. Led by Dr. Doby Indrawan and a team of researchers from Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University in Malang, alongside public health specialists from the Batu City Health Department, the investigation examined how daily movement influences health outcomes in primary care settings. The findings arrive at a critical moment for global health systems facing rapid demographic shifts, highlighting how accessible community-based exercise strategies can preserve independence, psychological well-being, and social connectedness as populations age.

Background

Population aging represents one of the most significant demographic transformations of the 21st century. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) to encourage health systems to transition from traditional, disease-centered treatment models toward frameworks that preserve functional capability and day-to-day well-being. In low- and middle-income nations like Indonesia, primary healthcare facilities—known locally as Puskesmas—and community health posts (Posyandu Lansia) serve as vital frontline infrastructure for senior care. However, most empirical research on physical activity and senior quality of life originates from high-income countries or structured clinical trials. Evaluating these dynamics within local Indonesian primary care networks addresses a crucial knowledge gap, helping public health planners design context-specific health strategies.

Methodology

The analytical cross-sectional study surveyed 108 adults aged 60 years or older (mean age 66.58 years; 56.5% women) residing within the operational catchment area of the Sisir Primary Health Center in Batu City, East Java. Participants were selected via purposive sampling across multiple Posyandu Lansia community health posts to ensure varied geographic representation.

Data collection involved structured face-to-face interviews using two validated standard research instruments:

  • International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF): Evaluated physical activity performed over the previous seven days, categorizing participants into low, moderate, or high activity levels.
  • WHOQOL-BREF Questionnaire: Measured multidimensional quality of life across four specific domains—physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental conditions—alongside a calculated composite quality-of-life score.

Statistical relationships were evaluated using Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficients ($\rho$).

Key Findings

The survey revealed clear trends across physical activity engagement and quality-of-life metrics:

  • Activity Distribution: Moderate physical activity was the most common category (45.4%), followed by high physical activity (27.8%) and low physical activity (26.9%).
  • Quality of Life Domain Scores: On a transformed 0–100 scale, the social relationships domain scored the highest average rating at 66.94 (SD 10.55), followed by the environmental domain at 64.92 (SD 9.42) and the psychological domain at 64.70 (SD 12.90). The physical health domain recorded the lowest mean score at 57.61 (SD 11.30). The mean composite score was 63.54 (SD 9.49).
  • Overall Correlation: Physical activity level showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the composite quality-of-life score ($\rho = 0.318, p < 0.001$).
  • Domain-Specific Insights: Physical activity correlated positively across all four individual domains, showing the strongest relationship with psychological well-being ($\rho = 0.308, p = 0.001$), followed by physical health ($\rho = 0.272, p = 0.004$), environmental factors ($\rho = 0.250, p = 0.009$), and social relationships ($\rho = 0.203, p = 0.036$).

Implications and Real-World Impact

The study demonstrates that physical activity programs targeting older adults do not need to rely solely on high-intensity workouts to yield meaningful benefits. Because the psychological domain yielded the strongest domain-specific association, physical activity initiatives should be designed to foster emotional enjoyment, routine, autonomy, and group participation rather than physical exertion alone.

For policymakers, primary healthcare workers, and community organizers, these outcomes support integrating low-barrier movement programs—such as walking clubs, light flexibility routines, and balance training—directly into routine Puskesmas and Posyandu Lansia services. Tailoring simple, safe exercise routines within existing community centers offers a cost-effective strategy to preserve independence and elevate the overall life quality of aging populations.

Academic Expert Perspective

Emphasizing the strategic necessity of embedding movement initiatives into primary care, the study authors from Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University noted:

"Higher physical activity levels were positively associated with overall quality of life and across all four WHOQOL-BREF domains among community-dwelling older adults. Physical activity promotion may be incorporated into routine Integrated Senior Citizen Service Center and Primary Health Center programmes as part of a broader healthy-ageing strategy. Programmes should not focus exclusively on exercise intensity; they should also consider safety, accessibility, motivation, social participation, and environmental barriers."

Author Profile

  • Doby Indrawan, M.D., is an academic researcher and medical faculty member at Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University in Malang, Indonesia, specializing in community medicine, primary healthcare, and geriatric health promotion.

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