Abstract
We measured functional fitness in older subjects and performed a follow-up survey for 6 years to clarify whether the level of functional fitness at a given point contributes to prediction of the subsequent occurrence of impairment of functions necessary for independent living. The longitudinal data were obtained for 391 persons aged 60 years or over, who were independently living in the community. Four items of functional fitness, i.e. the ability to perform standing/sitting movements, ability to perform traveling movements, ability to perform housekeeping movements, and ability to perform personal grooming activities, were assessed. The relationship between functional fitness and the risk of the occurrence of impairment of independence in daily living was evaluated using a binomial logistic regression model. In males, all the 4 items of functional fitness were significantly related to the risk of impairment of activities of daily living (ADL). In females, however, none of the items was significantly related to the risk of ADL impairment. In conclusion, functional fitness appears to be valid as a predictive parameter of future occurrence of ADL impairment in relatively healthy and independent elderly males. However, its validity in elderly females needs further evaluation.
Highlights
We measured functional fitness in older subjects and performed a follow-up survey for 6 years to clarify whether the level of functional fitness at a given point contributes to prediction of the subsequent occurrence of impairment of functions necessary for independent living
All the 4 items of functional fitness were significantly related to the risk of impairment of activities of daily living (ADL)
In Japan, there have been a number of studies examining the relationship between physical functions necessary for ADL and various factors in daily living in groups that included elderly peopendent life as "functional fitness" and have developed a method for their objective measurement.[5,6,7,8,9,10]
Summary
Fitness and Toshiya Nagamatsu,[1] Yukio Oida,[1] Yoshinori Kitabatake,[1] Hiroshi Kohno,[1] Ken'ichi Egawa,[1]. In such social circumstances, study of the relationship between the state of physical functions necessary for independent living and the future outcome, such as the incidence of impairment of activities of daily living (ADL) or mortality, in the general elderly population may provide useful information for planning and implementing health promoting services for prolonging the active life span of older people. Evaluation of the relationship between functional fitness and the outcome will clarify the significance of measurement and assessment of functional fitness, and provide basic data useful for planning health-promoting programs and organizing specific actions of community care aimed at maintenance and enhancement of these functions and prevention of reductions in the degree of indeple with impaired physical functions or disabilities.1-4However, few studies have objectively assessed physical functions necessary for ADL and examined their relationships with other factors or the outcome in independently living elderly people. Meiji Life Foundation of Health and Nagamatsu the level of functional fitness at a given point contributes to prediction of the subsequent occurrence of impairment of functions necessary for independent living
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