Gazi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi

Öz

Aging is a process that includes a decrease in biological and physiological functions due to cellular and molecular damage during the life cycle. Because of the increase in the birth rate and the decrease in the death rate the elderly population has increased. The physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functions may decrease with aging. Considering the increasing elderly population and increasing health problems, the World Health Organization has declared the concept of "active aging". Active aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance the quality of life as people age. The policy framework of active aging requires action on three basic concepts: Health, participation, and security. Improving lifelong health and gaining healthy lifestyle behaviors for the community is the first aim of active and healthy aging. Previous studies reported positive effects of active aging programs (physical activity/exercise, nutrition, cognitive education, social participation, etc.) on general health. As the elderly population increases, the prevalence of rheumatic diseases also increases. Because the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases is like the molecular and cellular signs of aging, early physiological aging may occur in rheumatic patients. It was stated that chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and telomere damage, which are molecular and physiological signs of aging, may also be present in rheumatic diseases. Therefore, it is important to gain active and healthy aging behaviors in individuals with rheumatic diseases in addition to their routine medical treatments. For this, physical activity/exercise is of great importance. Physical activity increases physical, emotional, and cognitive functions and decreases the risk of chronic diseases and early death. According to current guidelines, physical activity/exercise is an effective approach with a high level of evidence in the management of rheumatic diseases. Exercises/physical activity planned according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American College of Sports Medicine is effective for the management of rheumatic disease, and it should be an integral part of standard care throughout the disease course. As a result, considering the increasing elderly population and the rate of chronic diseases, healthy and active aging is of great importance. For this reason, strategies for promoting healthy life behaviors such as physical activity are very important for public health.