Resilience · Feb 8, 2026
The Effect of Physical Activity on Healthy Aging and Resilience in Older Adults
By Arslanoğlu Y
With the rapid aging of the world population, lifestyle activities that reduce chronic diseases and promote functional independence are becoming increasingly important. The positive effects of physical activity on healthy aging are further highlighted by its potential to enhance individuals' capacity to cope with the challenges they face. Regular physical activity stands out as an effective method not only for minimizing the adverse physiological changes accompanying the aging process but also for supporting mental health and overall well-being in later life. Physical activity not only preserves individuals' physical health but also contributes to enhancing social interaction, mental flexibility, and psychological well-being. This study is a qualitative review that aims to analyze the complex relationship among the concepts of healthy aging, physical activity, and resilience. Within this scope, findings obtained by searching the relevant national (including TÜİK data) and international literature (particularly recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses) were synthesized. Older adults constitute an important segment of society, and their numbers are expected to increase. This demographic change not only affects individuals' physical and mental health status but also has significant social and economic effects. While the older population is rapidly increasing worldwide, this does not always mean a healthier lifespan; on the contrary, it may lead to an increase in the number of people who will struggle with chronic diseases. Therefore, the concept of resilience needs to be strengthened so that individuals can achieve their healthy aging goals. Because resilience directly affects individuals' overall quality of life, understanding the relationship between healthy aging and physical activity is critically important. Enhancing individuals' ability to cope with the physical and psychological challenges they face during the aging process directly affects their quality of life. At this point, resilience is central to policies and intervention strategies that support healthy aging. This review demonstrates that physical activity is a central strategy that not only improves physiological health in older individuals but also enhances 'resilience' by acting as a buffer against psychosocial challenges. The findings strongly emphasize that interventions that holistically address individuals' physical, social, and psychological dimensions and promote physical activity should be placed at the center of healthy aging policies.