scholarly journals Factors Differentiating the Level of Functional Fitness in Polish Seniors

Author(s):  
Danuta Umiastowska ◽  
Joanna Kupczyk

In this study, functional fitness is defined as the level of independence and self-sufficiency of an elderly person, which facilitates leading an independent life, without the need for assistance from other people. A decrease in functional fitness among older adults is influenced by a variety of factors. In addition to changes occurring in the human body in accordance with the laws of ontogenetic development, they can also be analyzed in terms of somatic parameters and the age of the subjects. The aim of this research was to find the factors differentiating the level of functional fitness of older adults. It involved 509 people divided into a group of people involved in regular physical activity and an inactive group. The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test was used to measure the level of physical fitness, and anthropometric measurements (body weight and height) were also performed. The level of functional fitness of Polish seniors was compared with the American standards established by R. E. Rikli and C. J. Jones. The results of our research confirm a higher level of functional fitness in active older adults, both women and men. In this group, BMI—(Body Mass Index is a measure of body fat based on height and weight) showed a greater correlation with shoulder girdle and back muscles strength, complex coordination, balance, agility, and endurance in women than in men. Finally, the surveyed Polish seniors exhibited a higher level of functional fitness than their American peers.

Author(s):  
Maria Priscila Wermelinger Ávila ◽  
Jimilly Caputo Corrêa ◽  
Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti ◽  
Giancarlo Lucchetti

The aim of this study was to longitudinally investigate the association between resilience and mental health in older adults and to determine the influence of physical activity on this relationship. A total of 291 older adults were included in a 2-year follow-up study. Adjusted linear regression models evaluated the association between resilience at baseline and mental health after 2 years in sufficiently and insufficiently physically active older adults. A negative correlation was found between resilience at baseline and depression, anxiety, and stress after 2 years for the overall sample. This association changed after stratifying the group. Sufficiently physically active individuals made greater use of the resilience components “Self-Sufficiency” and “Perseverance,” whereas insufficiently physically active individuals made greater use of “Meaning of Life” and “Existential Singularity.” Physical activity can influence the relationship between resilience and mental health. These results can help guide the devising of more effective interventions for this age group.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 764-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Javad Koohsari ◽  
Andrew T. Kaczynski ◽  
Tomoki Nakaya ◽  
Ai Shibata ◽  
Kaori Ishii ◽  
...  

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine associations between objectively measured walkable urban design attributes with Japanese older adults’ body mass index (BMI) and to test whether objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior mediated such associations. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Participants: Participants were 297 older residents (aged 65-84 years) randomly selected from the registry of residential addresses. Measures: Walkable urban design attributes, including population density, availability of physical activity facilities, intersection density, and access to public transportation stations, were calculated using geographic information systems. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and BMI were measured objectively. Analysis: The relationships of walkable urban design attributes, Walk Score®, and BMI were examined by multiple linear regression with adjustment for covariates in all models. Mediation effects of the physical activity and sedentary behavior variables in these relationships were tested using a product-of-coefficients test. Results: Higher population density and Walk Score® were associated with lower BMI. Light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities partially mediated the relationships between these walkable urban design attributes and BMI. Conclusions: Developing active-friendly environmental policies to (re)design neighborhoods may not only promote active transport behaviors but also help in improving residents’ health status in non-Western contexts.


2010 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Vera Moniz-Pereira ◽  
Helô Isa Viana André ◽  
Maria Lourdes Machado ◽  
Filomena Carnide ◽  
António Veloso

2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S73
Author(s):  
D X. Marquez ◽  
G J. Jerome ◽  
S Elavsky ◽  
J F. Konopack ◽  
L Hu ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hulya Donat Tuna ◽  
Ayse Ozcan Edeer ◽  
Mehtap Malkoc ◽  
Gazanfer Aksakoglu

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo J. Simoes ◽  
Rosemarie Kobau ◽  
Julie Kapp ◽  
Brian Waterman ◽  
Ali Mokdad ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 859-859
Author(s):  
Candace Brown

Abstract The benefits of physical activity (PA) are well-established and it is recommended that older adults achieve at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity PA and strengthening activities weekly. However, only 54.0% and 23.2% of older adults achieve these recommendations for endurance and strengthening (respectively), and 48% dropout within the first 6-months. Most PA research focuses on the 6-month initiation phase leaving a gap regarding long-term adherence. We explored predictors of long-term adherence (>2-years) to PA from 97participants at 6-month follow-up and yearly surveys. Variables examined included age, race, gender, body mass index (BMI), and self-reported comorbidities, symptoms, physical function, and barrier-specific self-efficacy scale (α-level 0.05). Lower BMI (29.1±5.1 versus 31.6±6.5, p=0.047) and higher self-efficacy to overcome environmental barriers (p=0.016) and social isolation (p=0.05) were associated with long-term adherence. Self-efficacy to overcome environmental and social barriers should be addressed to promote long-term adherence to exercise among older adults


2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S181
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Rogers ◽  
Nobuo Takeshima ◽  
Daisuke Koizumi ◽  
Michael E. Rogers ◽  
Carolyn R. Ahlers-Schmidt ◽  
...  

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