Prediction Equations of Physical Fitness Age for Korean Adults

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop prediction equations for estimating the physical fitness age (PFA) of Korean adults in young (19-40 years), middle (41-64 years), and old (65-80 years) age groups.METHODS: Data from 122,842 individuals who participated in Korea National Physical Fitness Survey and National Fitness 100 from 2009 to 2014 were collected. Body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, agility, power, balance, and coordination were measured. Pearson’s correlation and stepwise regression analyses were used to analyze the data.RESULTS: The equations were as follows: PFA for young males=22.321 −.088 (20-m PACER)+.317 (body mass index [BMI]); PFA for young females=24.486 −.143 (20-m PACER)+.304 (BMI); PFA for middle-aged males=66.644 −.044 (standing long jump) −.069 (20-m PACER) – .201 (weight) −.075 (modified sit-ups)+.269 (10-m shuttle run)+.320 (BMI); PFA for middle-aged females=66.814 −.098 (standing long jump) −.113 (modified sit-ups); PFA for older males=84.795+.093 (figure-of-8 walk) −.100 (chair standing) −.122 (weight) −.102 (relative grip strength) −.060 (sit-and-reach)+.147 (3-m up-and-go); and PFA for older females=80.577+.097 (figureof-8 walk)+.306 (3-m up-and-go) −.280 (weight) −.088 (relative grip strength) −.069 (sit-and-reach)+.393 (BMI) −.088 (chair standing) −.011 (2-min step-in-place).CONCLUSIONS: Our prediction equations for PFA can be used as a tool to prescribe sex- and age-appropriate exercise program and to verify the effect of the application of the exercise program by comparing pre -and post-PFA.

Age score for assessing motor function in Chinese older men

Background and objective: Motor performance plays an important role in daily activities for older adults. The purpose of the study was to construct a method for measuring physical fitness age that can be used to assess motor performance in elderly men and to verify its validity. Methods: Four items of physical fitness including grip strength, balancing on one leg with eyes open, 30 s chair stand test and 6 min walk test were selected and measured in a random order. Principal component analysis was employed to build physical fitness age based on motor performance variables from 94 elderly men with a mean age of 71.20 ± 5.05 years. Physical fitness age = 115.516-0.652 × grip strength - 0.142 × balancing on one leg with eyes open - 0.839 × 30 s chair stand - 0.061 × 6 min walk distance + 0.541 × chronological age. Results: Validation test from 13 men with exercise habit and 12 men without exercise habit showed that the physical fitness age in the exercised adults was significantly lower than its chronological age (63.91 ± 5.40 vs. 70.92 ± 4.17, P < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed between physical fitness age and chronological age in the elderly without exercise habits (71.23 ± 7.49 vs. 70.83 ± 5.19, P = 0.646). Conclusion: Physical fitness age is a valid indicator to evaluate and monitor motor performance. Participation in physical exercise may lower the physical fitness age by improving motor performance.