INTRODUCTION
It is natural that a person changes in a healthy and psychological way because of his or her age. Aging, like all other stages of life, is a phase during which the person is exposed to strength and weakness as well as health and illness.
The exposure of the Iraqi society to difficult conditions in various aspects of life has led to the acceleration of the aging process in Iraqi people. As one reaches about 60 years of age, their health begins to deteriorate, which in turn contributes to the deterioration of psychological condition.1 By the age of retirement (63 years), one is accompanied by a feeling of lack of need and disappointment (pessimism) and mood swings (simple depression), as well as physiological changes, including changes in serum uric acid (SUA) levels, which are subjected to study here. Hence, research which focus on the development of a training curriculum to overcome the difficulties experienced by the sample population through the preparation of a healthy course and study its effect in the SUA and psychology of pessimism and depression is of high relevance.
The problem of research was the health and psychological pressures experienced by individuals at this age, especially when referred to retirement and the lack of interest of the community in its various institutions and organizations. The provision of health and psychological care to this segment of the community led to the preparation of a healthy psychological course to overcome certain problems of the research sample.
Lamina and Okoye studied the effect of aerobic exercise on psychosocial status and uric acid in blood of men who suffer from chronic hypertension. They identified the effect of the continuous training program on SUA and the physiological status of black African population suffering from high blood pressure through the pretest and posttest measurements conducted in experimental and control groups. The study was conducted in men aged 50–70 years with chronic hypertension, both mild and moderate forms.2
Abulridha et al. studied the impact of physical health psychological program on some physiological variables and physical fitness and improvement of the mood in elderly by designing such a program that matches the nature of the sample population. They used the single, independent group experimental approach via pretest and posttest measurements, and the study was conducted in men aged 60–65 years, suffering from diabetes, cholesterol, and moderate depression.3
METHODS
The single, independent group experimental method was used for pretest and posttest measurements to suit the nature of the problem.
The sample was selected from teaching staffs of State Universities in Baghdad (The University of Baghdad, University of Technology, Mustansiriya University, Al Nahrain University, and the Iraqi University) who have retired over the past 3 years (2017, 2018, 2019). The data of staff were collected from the universities, and the population reached to 363 professors aged 63–65 years. Individuals with pessimism and depression (average [mood disturbance]) were chosen for the study. Smokers, alcohol users, and patients with kidney disease and gout, as well as practitioners of various kinds of sports, were excluded from the study by distributing a questionnaire to collect the information. The optimism and pessimism measurement form was also distributed in addition to the depression scale form. This was done during the period from Sunday 5/5/2019 to Sunday 7/7/2019. The sample size reached to 94 persons who were selected based on their consent to carry out the tests, as well as the approval of the application for the health psychological approach. After excluding the participants in the pilot and nonregular training, the number of individuals in the final sample was 21. The sample percentage was 22.34% of the research population.
Measurement tools
(a) Aron Beck scale form: (3:7–8): The depression scale consists of 21 paragraphs, and each paragraph of the scale refers to the axis of depression on the scale. (b) The Seligman Scale for pessimism and optimism4: The Seligman scale consists of 48 paragraphs, the degree of examinee ranges between 0 and 48. A low score (0–24) indicates the tendency to be pessimistic, while a high score (25–48) indicates optimism. The two scales have been codified and adapted to the Iraqi environment for older people aged 63–65 years, by presenting it to a group of experts and specialists in psychology and sports psychology. The scales were codified and applied to the Iraqi environment. Chinese-made spectrophotometer, electronic thermometer for measuring ambient temperature, 2 ml syringes number 60, stopwatch type (Casio) Japanese-made number 2, questionnaire form, cotton, medical alcohol, tubes to save blood number 60, Chinese-made centrifuge apparatus, blood test results form, expert form, ball balance number 3, weight of weight (1 kg and 2 kg) number 4 per weight, ground mat number 3, height (30 and 60 cm) , treadmill number 3, rubber sling number 4 are the coefficients of validity,.
Tests and measurements
Uric acid in the blood (SUA): A blood sample was obtained from the study sample by intravenous withdrawal for the examination of SUA, the normal level ranges between 3.3 and 7 mg/dl.
Pilot experiment
This pilot experiment on a sample of five people was done to identify the efficiency of the assistant team, to know the necessary time required to conduct the tests, to verify the scientific basis of the results of the measurement, and to make the work accurate, which was conducted in 2 days, Tuesday and Wednesday, dated 27/8/2019 and 28/8/2019, respectively. On the first day, the blood samples obtained were tested in the laboratory of pathological analysis at Obesity Unit, Elkindi Faculty of Medicine, University of Baghdad to identify the obstacles, difficulties, and shortcomings that the researchers may face. On the second day, items of training unit was implemented on the same sample for pilot experiment in the fitness hall at University of Baghdad to discover the shortcomings in the implementation of the program.
Pretests
The pretests were done by the Assistant Team from 3/9/2019 to 5/9/2019 at the Obesity Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Baghdad University with the determination of similar conditions for the posttests.
The health psychological course
A health psychological course1 was prepared in music along with some updates and expert opinions. The course took 10 weeks, from Sunday 8/9/2019 to Friday 15/11/2019.
The duration of the course was 10 weeks, with four units and three training units per week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) and recreation unit (Friday or Saturday) depending on the circumstances. The total number of units was 40, 30 training units and 10 recreational units. The researchers believe that these units are sufficient for adaptation and development of the study indicators.
Oxygen training in the preparation of the health psychological course was adopted by the method of interval training, in a circular way from low intensity to medium intensity with module time between 45 and 60 min for one training unit.
The training intensity of the health fitness course ranges about 50–67%. The calculation of the intensity of the training based on the heart rate is as follows5:
Weekly load ripple is 1–2, and the ripple of training modules within the week is 1–2.
Recreational units were implemented through the establishment of trips to different places of recreation, with the application of relaxation exercises and relaxation with music (in the final section of the training module).
Posttests
Posttests were carried out on the research sample, from 17/11/2019 to 19/11/2019 at the Obesity Unit, El-Kindi Faculty of Medicine, University of Baghdad. The blood samples were obtained from the subjects, and the questionnaire form for optimism, pessimism, and depression measurements was distributed and filled by the research sample.
Analysing the Results and Discussion
Table 1 shows the significance of the differences between the pre- and posttests in favor of the post-test in improving the level of SUA (see Figure 1). The suggested health psychological course had a positive effect, knowing that in both tests the level of uric acid was within normal limits. Regular long-term aerobic training reduced the level of SUA. Francis and Hamrick6 have confirmed that the low-to-medium aerobic training program of 8 weeks decreased the level of SUA. Furthermore, Lamina and Okoye concluded that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise showed a decrease in the level of SUA.2 On the contrary, Beavers et al. confirmed that there is a positive relationship between physical exercise and high uric acid level in the blood, as regular participation in vigorous exercise will lead to increased SUA levels.7
TABLE 1. The Mean, Standard Deviation, and the T-test Values of Serum Uric Acid Level, Optimistic and Pessimistic, and Depressed for the Pretest and Posttest of the Sample.
| Variable | Test | Arithmetic mean | Standard deviation | Average differences | Standard deviations of differences | T- test value | Value significance | Level of variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood serum uric acid (SUA) | Pre- | 6.65 | 0.56 | 2.85 | 0.58 | 22.43 | 0.000 | Significant |
| Post- | 3.79 | 0.32 | ||||||
| Pessimism | Pre | 22.38 | 1.24 | −13.76 | 3.91 | 16.12 | 0.000 | Significant |
| Post- | 36.14 | 3.77 | ||||||
| Depression | Pre- | 26.95 | 1.39 | 4.33 | 2.24 | 8.85 | 0.000 | Significant |
| Post- | 22.62 | 1.74 |
FIGURE 1. The values of differences parameters for pre- and posttest.
Table 1 shows the significance of the differences between the pre- and posttests in the level of pessimism for the benefit of the post-test (see Figure 1). The health psychological course had a positive effect on self-assessment and inclusiveness, in overcoming the pressures and imparted a positive outlook of the stressful situations and reduced the pessimism and raised the level of optimism in the individual. This was confirmed in a study by Khreibt and Abdel-Fattah. They confirmed that regular aerobic training has positive effects on self-confidence, improves mental function, and makes the person happier.8
Also, the significant differences between the pre- and posttests in level of depression (irritability) in favor of the post-test are included in Table 1 and Figure 1 which attributed to the fact that the used psychosocial course has a tangible benefit for self-control, satisfaction, enjoyment of life, decision-making, and willpower, which led to the improvement of mood and lead a quality life. This was confirmed by Ahmed, who pointed out that practicing sports activities is one of the pillars of treatment for those who feel irritable as they have significant role in granting self-confidence and achieving happiness and well-being.9
Also, music and mass travel away from the family for some time, such as blending into the natural and social environment, together are sufficient to facilitate nervous and psychological relaxation. This was confirmed by Allawi and Abdel-Fattah, who stated that exercise and regular training improve mood, clear tension, and help to largely get rid of psychological stress.10 This was also confirmed by Ahmed who said that listening to music during easing and relaxation exercises helps to overcome stress and irritability.9.
Generally, the used course had a positive psychological health effect to overcome the negative effects and health damage caused by age, lack of mobility, and the existence of a large vacuum which led to the negative impact on the health and psychological status of human beings in general, especially in the elderly. This was in agreement with the observation of Nabih, who mentioned that the increasing interest in exercise and physical activity, especially for the elderly, is not only for the purpose of championship and competition, but also for physical and psychological health and for improving performance efficiency and enjoying life.11–12
CONCLUSIONS
There were significant differences between the pre- and posttests in the level of SUA, and levels of pessimism and depression that attributed to the posttest.