FUNCTIONAL FITNESS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SEDENTARY AND ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS IN THE USA AND SLOVENIA

Abstract

1944 The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed regular physical activity as an integral part of healthy aging. The WHO Guidelines stress that there is no single model of physical activity which is optimal. Rather, physical activity needs to be defined in the context of the socio-cultural environment in which the older adult is living. The Guidelines conclude that a key benefit of an active lifestyle is the preservation of independence in old age. In this study, we examine functional fitness differences between physically active (PA) and sedentary (SED) seniors living in the USA and Slovenia. In each country, PA and SED seniors volunteered to participate in an 8 item Functional Fitness Test (FFT) battery (USA,n=79;PA=42,SED=37; Slovenia,n=103,PA=58,SED=55). The PA group had exercised 3 × weekly for at least 8 months, whereas, the SED group reported no regular physical activity. ANOVA revealed significant differences between the countries on 5 of the FFT items. The Americans performed better on the Step-in-Place, Chair Stand, and Timed Up & Go tasks. The Slovenians performed better on the Sit & Reach and the One-Leg Balance tasks. Regardless of location, PA seniors outperformed SED individuals on all FFT items with the exception of flexibility. Specifically, active seniors were more agile and exhibited superior balance, they had greater upper and lower body strength, and they had greater aerobic endurance. Our data suggest that regular physical activity is associated with significant functional benefits.