Correlates of functional physical capacity in physically active older adults: a conceptual-framework-based cross-sectional analysis of social determinants of health and clinical parameters.

Abstract

Functional decline in older adults may be affected by clinical status, physical fitness, and social determinants of health. This study aimed to explore social determinants of health and health/clinical determinants on two outcomes of functional physical capacity. Therefore, a population-based sample of 327 older adults (69 ± 7years; 83.5% women) underwent demographical and clinical questionnaires, risk factors assessments, 6-min walk testing (walking capacity), and handgrip strength testing. Based on multivariable linear regression models, age ( - 4.05m; - 5.3 to - 2.8), being men (71.40m; 50.5-92.3), body mass index ( - 3.88m; - 5.6 to - 2.1), and quality of life (18.48m; 6.3-30.6) remained as predictive variables for walking capacity (R2 = 30.8%). In the final model for handgrip strength, age ( - 0.6% kgf; 0.89-0.2) and male sex (65.2% kgf; 55.3-75.8) remained as predictive variables. The mean values for our predicted outcomes were similar to those of healthy and physically active ones, which may be a consequence of the engagement of our sample in a lifestyle program. Also, although using the conceptual framework model to choose explanatory variables with a solid rationale, some of them may present reverse causality in this study setting, regardless of our efforts to annulate this type of bias. Despite exploratory analyses including contextual factors as potential predictors of walking capacity and handgrip strength, only outcomes at the individual levels were associated, either positively or negatively, with the variations presented by this studied sample of older adults.