Prediction of Functional Fitness From Participation in Senior Center Fitness Programs, BMI, and Age

Abstract

Physical activity throughout life plays an important role in maintaining functionality. Questionnaires often inquire regarding involvement in physical activity, without further probing, and are used to predict fitness variables. The purpose of this study was to determine if the indication of participation in senior center fitness programs, age, and BMI predict functional assessment test (FAT) scores in elderly populations. METHODS: Participants consisted of 54 women and 8 men ages 61 to 91 (74.4 ± 7.2 years) that were members of a senior center. Participants completed a questionnaire which included participation in senior center fitness programs. Participants then underwent a series of FATs in the following order: chair stand, arm curl, 2-minute step test, 8-foot up and go, chair sit-and-reach, and back-scratch test. FAT scores were predicted using a multiple regression model with the factors age, BMI, and senior center fitness program participation (yes, no). RESULTS: 50 participants indicated involvement in fitness programs while 12 indicated they were not involved in programs provided by the senior center. Participation in senior center fitness programs, age and BMI were not significant predictors of FAT scores in the chair stand model (R2 = 0.07). In the arm curl model, (R2 = 0.09) participation was a significant factor (p = 0.03). In the 2-minute step test model (R2 = 0.29) both age and participation were significant factors (p = 0.005, p = 0.016, respectively). In the 8-foot up and go model (R2 = 0.46) age and BMI were significant factors (p = <0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). In the chair sit-and-reach model (R2 = 0.33) age and BMI were significant factors (p = 0.003, p = <0.001, respectively). In the back scratch model (R2 = 0.27) BMI was a significant factor (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A questionnaire including participation in senior center fitness programs does not consistently predict FAT scores. While indication of participation is a factor for specific FATs, further probing into types of exercise or home activity may increase predictability of FAT scores. BMI and age also appear to be significant factors for specific FATs .