Impact of physical and functional fitness on mortality from all causes of physically independent older adults

Abstract

ObjectiveTo provide reference values for functional fitness tests (PFFT) and verify the capability of these tests alone and grouped into a general index (GFFI-6), to predict mortality from all causes, during seven years of follow-up of physically independent older adults. MethodsThe sample consisted of 422 older adults, evaluated at baseline using six PFFTs, as well as sociodemographic, behavioral, anthropometric, and comorbidity variables. Mortality from all causes was followed for seven subsequent years. The sample was subdivided into four groups according to sex and age. Performances in the PFFT and GFFI-6 tests were ranked into "low", "regular", and "high". ResultsCox proportional regression, with the adjustment of variables, indicated that the Unipedal Balance Test (BAL), Body Agility (AGI), Sit and Stand-up (SIT-SD) tests, and GFFI-6 were able to significantly predict mortality, indicating that older adults with "low" performance have, respectively, a 2.7 (CI=1.54–4.89, p = 0.01), 4.2 (CI=2.10–8.41), 2.5 (CI=1.44–4.65, p = 0.01), and 4.7 (CI=2.10–10.81, p<0.01) times higher risk of death, compared to older adults with "high" performance. ConclusionBAL, AGI, and SIT-SD tests alone and tests grouped in the GFFI-6 were strong predictors of all-cause mortality in physically independent older adults.