PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exercise prescribed by primary care physicians (PCPs) on the quality of life (QoL) of elderly people. METHOD: Randomisation was performed at PCPs level from 16 primary healthcare centers. Patients were divided into intervention and control groups. Both groups of physicians received theoretical training (14 h), and the intervention group received additional practical training on exercise prescription (10 h). Patients in the intervention group were prescribed endurance, flexibility, balance, and strength exercises and were given training packs. QoL was measured using Short Form-36. Measurements were taken at the beginning of the study, after the 3rd month, and at the end of the 6th month to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: The age of participants (intervention group n = 69, control group n = 110) was 57.68 +/- 5.08 years. At the end of the study, physical function, physical role function, social role function, mental health, vitality, general health perception, and emotional role function scores increased and body pain scores decreased in the intervention group. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the intervention and control groups were observed for physical function, physical role function, body pain, mental health, vitality, and emotional role function scores but not for social role function or general health perception scores. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise prescriptions given by PCPs containing endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises improve QoL in elderly people.

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