Abstract
<jats:p>The article addresses the pressing socio-medical challenge of supporting older internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine amid the ongoing military aggression. The study aims to scientifically substantiate the relationship between levels of recreational physical activity and quality of life indicators for this vulnerable population group using correlation analysis. The research involved 152 IDPs (average age 68) from the "Turbota" social service center in Chernivtsi. Methodological tools included the SF-36 Health Survey for quality of life (QoL) assessment and the IPAQ questionnaire for quantifying physical activity in MET-minutes/week. Descriptive data revealed a critical decline in quality of life across most domains. The lowest scores were recorded for Role-Physical (Me=25) and Role-Emotional (Me=33.3) functioning, indicating severe limitations in daily activities due to physical pain and emotional exhaustion. While the average activity level (1368 MET-min/week) falls into the moderate category, a significant portion of the sample (25th percentile - 693 MET-min) leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Spearman's correlation analysis demonstrated statistically significant positive relationships between physical activity and several QoL components: Bodily Pain (ρ=0.424), Vitality (ρ=0.410), Role-Emotional (ρ=0.400), and Role-Physical (ρ=0.337) functioning, as well as Social Functioning (ρ=0.305). These findings highlight movement as a natural non-pharmacological analgesic and a tool for social reintegration. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found with Mental Health (p=0.611), suggesting that the existential trauma of displacement requires specialized psychotherapeutic intervention beyond general physical activity. The study concludes that integrating "Mental Fitness" techniques (yoga, pilates, breathing exercises) into recreational programs is essential for improving the holistic well-being of older IDPs.</jats:p>