scholarly journals The Study of Health-Related Fitness Normative Scores for Nepalese Older Adults

Author(s):  
Jung Kyu Kim ◽  
Won Il Son ◽  
Ye Jung Sim ◽  
Ju Sung Lee ◽  
Kamala Oli Saud

Physical fitness tests are important to maintain and promote the health status of people. The purpose of this study was to develop health-related fitness evaluation norms according to the age and gender of Nepalese older adults. One thousand nine subjects (449 males, 560 females) above 60 years, residing in 19 wards (rural and urban) of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City participated in this study. The test included the PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire), social aspects questionnaire, blood pressure test, height, weight, BMI (body mass index), percent body fat, and four physical fitness components (grip strength, 1-minute sit-to-stand, sit and reach, and 2-minute step tests). Mean, SD, and fitness evaluation norms for each component were obtained after the main test and statistical analyses. This study showed higher BMI and percent body fat in female age groups than in male age groups. Grip strength, relative grip strength, sit-to-stand, and 2-minute steps scores were better in male age groups than in female age groups, but in contrast, flexibility was better in female age groups. This study may help the related sectors to assess physical fitness, identify fitness levels, and develop appropriate physical activities or exercise programs for older adults based on age.

Author(s):  
Byungjoo Noh ◽  
Changhong Youm ◽  
Myeounggon Lee ◽  
Hwayoung Park

This study aimed to identify classifier variables by considering both gait and physical fitness for identifying adults aged over 75 years and global cognitive function declines in older adults. The participants included 735 adults aged 65–89 years who were asked to walk at three different speeds (slower, preferred, and faster) while wearing inertial measurement units embedded in shoe-type data loggers and to perform nine physical fitness tests. The variability in the stance phase as well as the strength, balance, and functional endurance showed a strong dependence on the age being over 75 years. The cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination; a longer stance phase at a slower walking speed and decreased grip strength and five times sit-to-stand were associated with cognitive function. These findings may be useful for determining the decline in physical performance of older adults. A longer stance phase and decreased grip strength and five times sit-to-stand may be factors that help distinguish declines in cognitive function from normal age-related declines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 462-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Simon ◽  
Carrie L. Docherty

Background: Physical activity performed at moderate intensity is associated with reduced risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and some types of cancers. However, vigorous physical activity during participation in college athletics may increase the risk of injury, which might limit future physical activity levels. Purpose: To evaluate differences in current physical fitness levels between former Division I athletes and noncollegiate athletes. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: The sample was recruited from a large midwestern university alumni database and consisted of 2 cohorts: (1) former Division I athletes (n = 100; mean age, 53.1 ± 7.4 years) and (2) nonathletes who were active in college (n = 100; age, 51.4 ± 7.3 years). Individuals answered a demographics questionnaire and completed a physical fitness assessment consisting of 7 measures: percent body fat, 1-mile walk, sit-to-stand test, push-up, half sit-up test, sit and reach test, and back scratch test. Results: Performance was significantly worse for former Division I athletes compared with nonathletes for percent body fat (mean difference, 7.58%; F(1, 198) = 59.91; P < 0.01), mile time (mean difference, 2.42 minutes; F(1, 198) = 1.74; P = 0.03), sit-to-stand test (mean difference, 4.3 repetitions; F(1, 198) = 6.59; P = 0.01), and push-up test (mean difference, 8.9 repetitions; F(1, 198) = 7.35; P = 0.01). Conclusion: Former Division I athletes may be limited because of previous injury, inhibiting their ability to stay active later in life. Clinical Relevance: It is imperative that clinicians, coaches, and strength and conditioning specialists understand the possible future repercussions from competing at the Division I level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Alahmad ◽  

In Saudi Arabia, health-related physical fitness components in girls have received far less attention than physical activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess health-related physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, body fat, muscle strength, and flexibility) among adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah city, western Saudi Arabia. Thirty-six female students (mean ± standard deviation, age, 17.4 ± 1.3 years; body mass, 51.6 ± 11.1 kg; height, 154.5 ± 6.9 cm) performed a Queen’s College Step Test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption. Body fat percentage was determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Hand grip strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer, and flexibility was determined by using the sit and reach test. The mean (±standard deviation) of estimated maximal oxygen consumption was 39.5 ± 6.3 (ml.kg.min). The mean (±standard deviation) of Body fat percentage, right-hand grip strength, left-hand grip strength, and flexibility were 31.0 ±9.0 (%), 16.5±5.5 (kg), 17.1 ±4.9 (kg), and 10.6±4.8 (cm), respectively. We conclude that multiple health-related physical fitness components—with the exception of cardiorespiratory fitness—should be targeted, particularly body composition, muscle strength, and flexibility, to enhance health status among Saudi adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah. This may be accomplished by local schools, which should offer exercise programs to improve students’ physical fitness components.


1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia C. Frey ◽  
Jeffrey A. McCubbin ◽  
Steve Hannigan-Downs ◽  
Susan L Kasser ◽  
Steven O. Skaggs

The purpose of this study was to compare physical fitness levels of trained runners with mild mental retardation (MMR) (7 males and 2 females, age = 28.7 ± 7.4 years, weight = 67.0 ± 11.7 kg) and those without (7 males and 2 females, age = 29.1 ± 7.5, weight = 68.7 ± 8.8 kg). Paired t tests revealed no differences between runners with and without MMR on measures of V̇O2peak (56.3 ± 9.1 vs. 57.7 ± 4.1 ml · kg-1 · min-1), percent body fat (16.6 ± 8.4 vs. 16.6 ± 3.1), and lower back/hamstring flexibility (33.1 ± 10.9 vs. 28.6 ± 10.1 cm). Knee flexion (KF) and extension (KE) strength were significantly greater in runners without MMR compared to those with MMR (KF peak torque = 65.7 ±7.9 vs. 48.7 ± 15.7 ft/lb; KE peak torque = 138.5 ± 17.7 vs. 104.4 ± 29.9 ft/lb). It was concluded that trained runners with MMR can achieve high levels of physical fitness comparable to individuals without MMR.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 468-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Martinez-Tellez ◽  
G. Sanchez-Delgado ◽  
C. Cadenas-Sanchez ◽  
J. Mora-Gonzalez ◽  
M. Martín-Matillas ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (9) ◽  
pp. 1132-1140
Author(s):  
Takehiko Doi ◽  
Kota Tsutsumimoto ◽  
Sho Nakakubo ◽  
Min-Ji Kim ◽  
Satoshi Kurita ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Evaluating physical performance could facilitate dementia risk assessment. However, findings differ regarding which type of physical performance best predicts dementia. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the association between physical performance and incidence of dementia in Japanese community-dwelling older adults. Design This was a prospective study of community-dwelling older adults. Methods Of 14,313 invited individuals who were ≥ 65 years old, 5104 agreed to participate from 2011 to 2012, and 4086 (52% women; mean age = 72.0 years) met the criteria. Baseline assessments of the following physical performance indicators were obtained: grip strength, the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and the Timed “Up & Go” Test. The physical performance level in each test was categorized as C1 (highest), C2 (middle–high), C3 (middle–low), or C4 (lowest) on the basis of sex-stratified quartile values. Incident dementia status was obtained from medical records that were updated monthly. Results During follow-up (mean duration = 42.9 months), there were 243 incident cases of dementia (5.9%). Log-rank test results indicated that a lower physical performance level constituted a significant risk factor for dementia. After adjustment for covariates, Cox proportional hazards models (reference: highest physical performance level [C1]) demonstrated that the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test in the group with the lowest physical performance level (hazard ratio = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.10–2.59) was significantly associated with a risk of dementia. Likewise, the Timed “Up & Go” Test in the group with the lowest physical performance level (hazard ratio = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.01–2.35) was significantly associated with a risk of dementia. However, grip strength was not significantly associated with a risk of dementia. Limitations This study was limited by the use of medical record data. Conclusions A lower mobility-related physical performance level was associated with dementia risk. Dementia risk assessment should include an adequate evaluation of physical function.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 789-796
Author(s):  
Stina Lilje ◽  
Johan Sanmartin Berglund ◽  
Peter Anderberg ◽  
Lina Palmlöf ◽  
Eva Skillgate

Abstract Background and aims There are associations between pain, comorbidity and risk of falling, and falling increases the risk of mortality in older persons, but few studies have investigated the development of pain as a result of impaired physical function. The aim of this study was to examine possible associations between weak physical performance and the development of musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life in a sample of older adults. The sample derived from a national, longitudinal multicenter study; the Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care; SNAC-B. Methods The participants (n = 490) were between 60 and 78 years at the baseline examinations. Three variables were chosen for the exposure physical function, from the baseline examinations; One Leg Stand, Grip strength and Sit-to-Stand. The outcome musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life was measured using EQ5D and SF-12 6 years later, and logistic regression was used to investigate possible associations between the exposures and the outcome. Results Maximum grip strength (Grippit) was inversely associated with musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life (OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.15–4.61), and One-Leg Stand and Sit-to-Stand were not associated with the development of pain (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.64–2.64) and (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.45–1.86), respectively. Conclusions Weak grip strength was inversely associated with the development of musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life in older adults. Implications Impaired proprioceptive function, strength and mobility in elderly with pain have been found in earlier research. Since pain increases the risk of falling, it is important to investigate if it may develop as a function of an impaired physical function. The results of the present study could be of importance for future prevention programs aiming to protect elderly from falling.


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