Sport Science and Human Health · Apr 15, 2026
GLOW & MOVE: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO DEVELOPING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER WOMEN
By Deineko A, Красова І, Mullagіldіna A
Author contribution: A - study concept and design; B - data collection; C - data analysis and interpretation; D - writing the article; E - editing the article; F - final approval of the article. ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Supporting an active lifestyle among older women is an important socioeconomic task, as physical activity affects quality of life, psychoemotional state, and social communication and reduces the burden on the health care system. Age-related changes are accompanied by declines in physical work capacity and social activity, deterioration in strength, flexibility, and coordination, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. Regular and properly organized physical exercise helps maintain physical condition, improve well-being, and foster a positive emotional state. The “Glow & Move” program addresses these factors and can be considered an effective tool for increasing physical, emotional, and social activity among older women. OBJECTIVE: To substantiate the effectiveness of the “Glow & Move” program as an innovative tool for supporting physical and emotional activity among older women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To achieve the study objective, the following were used: theoretical analysis and synthesis of data from scientific and methodological literature and Internet resources; pedagogical methods (testing, experiment); and methods of mathematical statistics. The study involved 14 women aged 50+ from Kharkiv. RESULTS: After 9 months of participation in the “Glow & Move” program, physical fitness improved among women aged 50+. Statistically significant increases in strength and endurance measures were observed in the “Knee push-ups” test (from 14.0±1.73 to 18.9±1.55 repetitions, +35%, p<0.05) and the “Sit-ups from a lying position” test (from 30.8±2.9 to 38.4±2.27 repetitions, +24%, p<0.05). Static balance increased by 25% (p<0.05), flexibility by 42% (p>0.05), and speed measures by 20% (p>0.05). The participants' emotional state also improved: “Surge of strength and energy” +40% (p<0.05), “Good mood” +28% (p<0.05), “Harmony of physical and spiritual strength” +27% (p<0.05), and “Feeling of vigor” +18% (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The “Glow & Move” program provided a systematic organization of exercise sessions aimed at increasing physical activity among women aged 50+. Its implementation contributed to increased physical fitness, stabilization of the psychoemotional state, and the development of a positive emotional state, which overall increased vitality and quality of life among women in the older age group.