(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to analyse the functional fitness and the anthropometric values of older adults participating in the "IN COMMON SPORTS" project. (2) Methods: A total of ...418 participants (eastern European Group (GEE,
= 124) and southern European Groups (GES,
= 294) have been evaluated for anthropometric characteristics and fitness. (3) Results: The GES participants presented significant differences in anthropometric values and fitness, with the best values for upper and lower limb strength and aerobic resistance, while those from the GEE presented significantly better values for lower limb flexibility. (4) Conclusion: Older adults present differences in fitness in accordance with their country of residence, with the GES having the best functional fitness.
Objective:
Our aim was to determine the influence of pulmonary rehabilitation conducted in therapeutic salt mine chambers on the functional fitness of older adults.
Methods:
The study included 22 ...individuals of age >65 years with chronic respiratory conditions. The patients underwent the Fullerton test before and after a 3-week outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine Health Resort.
Results:
After the rehabilitation stay, the results showed statistically significant improvements within five of the six parameters evaluated. In the Arm Curl, the mean number of repetitions within 30 s increased from 14.55 ± 3.63 to 16.68 ± 3.83 and in the Chair Stand from 11.86 ± 2.55 to 14.41 ± 2.95. Beneficial changes were observed in the Back Scratch, but without statistical significance. In Sit and Reach results increased from -2.3 ± 11.11cm to 2.14 ± 9.19 cm. Time for performing the 8-Foot Up and Go decreased from 6.63 ± 1.27 s to 5.8 ± 0.86 s and in 2-Minute Step results increased from 88.27 ± 20.64 to 96.55 ± 16.38 repetitions.
Conclusion:
Functional fitness of examined older adults with pulmonary disorders has increased after a rehabilitation and treatment stay in underground salt mine chambers.
The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate differential effects of a 16-week protocol where participants were randomized into a strength-training (ST) group, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) training ...group, and a control group. Six physical outcome measures were assessed using the Senior Fitness Test, pre and post study, across ninety women in an assisted living community. A series of repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant group × time interactions across the six physical domains measured (p ≤ .01). Post hoc analysis indicated that ST and ADL groups improved significantly more than the control group across each physical domain. The ST group also outperformed the ADL group in the 30 Second Chair Stand and 30 second arm curl. The key finding is that it is important to incorporate both strength and ADL training sessions because both facilitated significant improvements across all six fitness domains above and beyond controls.
Epidemiological studies have shown that a number of nutrients are associated with better physical performance. However, little is still known about the role of the whole diet, particularly a healthy ...Nordic diet, in relation to physical performance. Therefore, we examined whether a healthy Nordic diet was associated with measures of physical performance 10 years later. We studied 1072 participants from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Participants' diet was assessed using a validated 128-item FFQ at the mean age of 61 years, and a priori-defined Nordic diet score (NDS) was calculated. The score included Nordic fruits and berries, vegetables, cereals, PUFA:SFA and trans-fatty acids ratio, low-fat milk, fish, red and processed meat, total fat and alcohol. At the mean age of 71 years, participants' physical performance was measured using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), and an overall SFT score was calculated. Women in the highest fourth of the NDS had on average 5 points higher SFT score compared with those in the lowest fourth (P for trend 0·005). No such association was observed in men. Women with the highest score had 17% better result in the 6-min walk test, 16% better arm curl and 20% better chair stand results compared with those with the lowest score (all P values<0·01). In conclusion, a healthy Nordic diet was associated with better overall physical performance among women and might help decrease the risk of disability in old age.
The use of normative values and/or standards of functional fitness in adults is relevant to overall health and well-being. The objectives of the study were: to identify the physical tests of the ...senior fitness test (SFT) that have been applied since its proposal and to describe the proposed percentiles according to age, sex and country.
A systematic review study was conducted in the Pubmed and Scopus databases. As eligibility criteria, we considered the period from 1999 to 2022 that presented data on SFT test used in the population over 60 years of age and that described normative values through percentiles. MeSH were used as: (1) Physical fitness, Exercise test, Senior Fitness Test, Functional fitness, Cardiorespiratory fitness, (2) older adult, aged, (3) Reference standards, standards, standards of care. Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" were included. Data extracted from the selected studies included: year of publication, country, sample age, sample size, sample sex, fitness component.
Seven studies were identified in five countries (03 in China, 01 in Poland, 01 in Portugal, 01 in Spain and 01 in United States). The age range ranged from 60 to 103 years. The studies were conducted in both sexes. The study with the smallest sample size was by Chung et al. (China) with 944 participants and the largest number of participants was the study by Rikli and Jones in the United States with 7,183 participants. In general, no study was able to complete 100% (8 components) of the tests proposed in the SFT. Normative values were presented through percentile distribution (p10, p50 and p90) organized by age ranges. Males presented better performance in FPF tests than females in all tests. Since the first publication of the SFT until 2022, seven articles have been published in countries such as United States, China (three regional studies), Poland, Portugal and Spain. No study has published the complete battery with its eight components. The percentiles of functional fitness reflect decline with advancing age.
PROSPERO (CRD42023441294: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023441294).
•Different factor structures of the SFT were observed among women and men older adults.•The factor structure of the SFT was better represented by a second-order 4-factor model for men sample.•The ...factor structure of the SFT was better represented by a second-order 5-factor model for women sample.•BMI was not significantly associated with the latent variable of functional fitness in the men sample.•Normal body weight and overweight participants responded to the SFT testing items in similar ways.
This study examined the factor structure of the Senior Fitness Test and examined its measurement and structural invariance across participants with normal body weight and participants who were overweight.
Eight hundred and forty-five community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong participated in this study. Their functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine and compare two competing models: a one-factor model and a second-order model. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the measurement and structural invariance of the SFT measurement model. Multiple fit indices were used to evaluate the adequacy of the model fit to the data.
The second-order model outperformed the one-factor model. For men participants, the second-order 4-factor model was indicated, while for women participants, the second-order 5-factor model was evidenced. The measurement and structural invariance of the SFT measurement model across normal weight and overweight participants were also supported.
This study provided initial evidence for the construct validity of the SFT. However, there were some differences in the factor structure of the SFT for men and women participants. Body composition did not necessarily reflect the functional fitness of men participants. All of the older adults responded to the testing items in a similar way regardless of body weight status in both men and women samples. The significance of each component for functional fitness was also similar for participants with different body weight statuses.
The aim of this study was to identify the differences in functional fitness and quality of life among women over 60 years of age depending on their level of objectively measured physical activity ...(PA) according to Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for health. The study used a cross-sectional design with 213 female volunteers over 60 years of age. Physical activity was monitored for 7 days of the week using an Actigraph Gt3X monitor. The Senior Fitness Test battery and hand-grip strength tests were performed to assess functional fitness. Quality of life was self-reported using a short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire WHOQOL-bref. Women who met the PA recommendations achieved slightly better results in most functional tests and in all domains of quality of life. Significant differences were found in the upper body strength, dynamic balance, and social relationships domains of quality of life. Physical activity programs developed on the basis of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations have the potential to improve functional fitness and quality of life. However, further experimental studies in this area are required.
Frailty often results from deteriorating muscle strength and decreased physical function in older adults. Frailty includes not only physical components, but also psychological and social aspects. ...Previous research has shown that exercise programs, especially resistance exercises combined with nutritional care, can reduce frailty.
This study aimed to develop a Frailty Prevention Care Management Program that prevents frailty and improves physical activity and nutrition compared to usual care for community-dwelling older adults.
A quasi-experimental and single-blinded trial with a non-equivalent control group using a before-after design will be performed involving Frailty Prevention Care Management Program interventions, taking place both at the communities. Participants will be divided into two different intervention groups and two control groups. All groups will be assessed three times: at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3 months post intervention. A total of 72 community-dwelling older adults are recruited. This intervention includes an exercise program (design TRX program) and nutritional education. The control group will not receive any specific exercise training. The primary outcome shall comprise the effect of the Frailty Prevention Care Management Program on frailty using the Taiwanese version of the Tilburg frailty indicator. Secondary outcomes include the effect of physical activity using the Senior Fitness Test and nutrition measures using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. A generalized estimating equation is constructed to analyze the effects of the intervention.
This trial will provide vital information to guide interventions to improve outcomes (frailty, physical activity, and nutrition) and inform the integration of nutrition and TRX exercises in community-dwelling older adults.
When evaluating health in older adults, batteries of tests are typically utilized to assess functional fitness. Unfortunately, physician's visits are time-sensitive, and it may be important to ...develop faster methods to assess functional fitness that can be utilized in professional or clinical settings. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship of sit-to-stand (STS) power generated through the STS task with previously established measures of functional fitness, specifically strength, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility in older adults with and without sarcopenia.
This study consisted of 57 community-dwelling older adults (n = 16 males; n = 41 females). Functional fitness was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Senior Fitness Test, handgrip, gait speed (habitual and maximal), balance, and STS power generated via the Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer. On the basis of data distribution, second-degree polynomial (quadratic) curvilinear models (lines of best fit) were applied for the relationships of 5-time STS time with average and peak power. Zero-order correlations were evaluated between STS power and all other functional fitness measures. Older adults with sarcopenia were also identified (n = 15), and relationships were reevaluated within this subset.
STS power (average and peak) was significantly (P ≤ .01) correlated with physical performance measured via previously established assessments. For average power, this was observed during the senior fitness test (6-minute walk r = 0.39, 8-ft up-and-go r = -0.46, arm curl r = 0.46, and chair stand r = 0.55), SPPB (5-time STS time r = -0.63 and 8-ft walk r = -0.32), and other independent functional fitness measures (grip strength r = 0.65 and maximal gait speed r = -0.31). Similar results were observed for peak power during the senior fitness test (6-minute walk r = 0.39, 8-ft up-and-go r = -0.46, arm curl r = 0.45, chair stand r = 0.52, and sit-and-reach r = -0.27), SPPB (5-time STS time r = -0.60 and 8-ft walk r = -0.33), and other independent functional fitness measures (grip strength r = 0.70 and maximal gait speed r = -0.32). Within the sarcopenic subset, for average and peak power, respectively, significant relationships were still retained for handgrip strength (r = 0.57 and r = 0.57), 6-minute walk (r = 0.55 and r = 0.61), chair stand (r = 0.76 and r = 0.81), and 5-time STS time (r = -0.76 and r = -0.80) tests.
STS power generated via the STS task significantly relates to commonly administered functional fitness measures. These relationships also appear to exist when evaluating these relationships in older adults with sarcopenia. STS power may be utilized as an independent measure of functional fitness that is feasible to incorporate in clinical settings where time and space are often limiting factors.
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