Introduction. Limitation or deprivation of physical activity can lead to occurrence of the so called civilization diseases: obesity, diabetes,
atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and motor organs diseases.

Aim of the study. The aim of this study was evaluation the elderly peoples’ knowledge of the role of physical activity by development of
different diseases.

Material and methods. A group of 39 female residents of three nursing houses from mazowieckie voivodeship was involved in the study.
The survey was conducted with use the questionnaire contained 20 questions.

Results and conclusions. A walking is the most common form of physical activity declared by the respondents at present (66.67%) and
preferred in the youth (84.62%). The study showed that lack of physical activity is usually associated with: obesity (79.49%), depression
(71.79%), ischaemic heart disease (69.23%), arterial hypertension (61.54%), motor organs diseases (64.10%), arteriosclerosis (58.97%). However
58.97% of the polled women does not know how diabetes is influenced by the physical activity, the same number of respondents
does not see any connection between physical activity and development of cancers; 76.92% of respondents is not able to say how physical
activity influences on the level of glucose in blood and 56.41% does not notice any relationship between the lack of physical activity and
lipid disorders. The study revealed that elderly people have relatively poor knowledge of the role of physical activity in the prophylaxis of
different diseases.

Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (3): 272-278