SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FUNCTIONAL FITNESS IN OLDER WOMEN FROM A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of sociodemographic (skin color, socioeconomic level, educational level, occupational and marital status) and health (high blood pressure, self-reported health problems, use of medicines and health perception), with the functional fitness in older women. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigates sociodemographic and health variables assessed by questionnaires and the association with functional fitness measured with the "Senior Fitness Test". Statistical analysis used the Kruskal -Wallis test to check for differences between age groups, chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses to investigate associations between each component of functional fitness and independent variables. Results: The final sample consisted of 1,806 older women, mean age 68.93 years (SD 6.6). Sociodemographic (skin color, socioeconomic class and educational level) and health variables (High blood pressure, self-reported health problems and health perception) were associated with different components of functional fitness and the overall score of functional capacity. Conclusion: Among all the independent variables, educational level and health perception were those most correlated to functional fitness.