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Abstract
Functional fitness and appropriate level of motor performance is a major determinant of quality of life and one of the key predictors of many health outcomes in later life. The purpose of the study was to measure individual performances in different motor abilities in elderly women and compare their average value of achieved performance with existing norms from different age category point of view. From the Senior Fitness Test battery (Rikli, & Jones, 2001) that consists of six performance-based tasks validate to measure functional fitness components we picked up 3 of them (back scratch test, 8-foot up-and-go test and chair stand test). For further measurements we chose 3 additional tests like modified sit and reach test, test of lateral spine flexion and one leg stand test. 129 elderly women in age from 60 to 89 years participated in our research. We divided respondents into five age categories where we provided comparison of average value of achieved motor performance in selected tests with existing norms. Women of all examined age categories (60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80-89 years) achieved average level of motor abilities in all measured test except in chair stand test, where three age categories of Slovak elderly women (60-64, 65-69 and 70-74 years) showed even above-average level of lower limbs strength. In all tested motor abilities active elderly women presented higher level of motor performance comparing sedentary elderly women. On the basis of our results we can confirm, that Slovak elderly women have an appropriate level of their motor performance, where better results were found in-group of active elderly women. By providing different tests we are not recommending one leg stand test for elderly who are older than 85 years of age.
Highlights
Scientific researches proved that physical activity is of major importance in preventing premature ageing, maintaining functional independence, decreasing the risk factor of primary and secondary disabilities and increasing life-long well being
Results show that elderly women (G) of all age categories achieved in majority number satisfactory level of measured motor abilities, when their average value of performances in more evaluated tests fulfilled required norm
From general evaluation of motor performance point of view we register the highest level in chair stand test, which measures the lower limbs strength
Summary
Scientific researches proved that physical activity is of major importance in preventing premature ageing, maintaining functional independence, decreasing the risk factor of primary and secondary disabilities and increasing life-long well being. Regular physical activity has powerful positive effects on both physical and psychological health. Maintaining lower-body flexibility, especially in the hip joint and hamstrings, is important because of its role in preventing low back pain, musculoskeletal injury, gain abnormalities, and in reducing the risk of Correspondence to: Dagmar Nemcek, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, falling (American College of Sport Medicine, 1995; Ross, Bohannon, Davis, & Gurchiek, 1999). In the upper body (shoulder area), adequate range of motion is needed for a number of specific functions such as combing one’s hair, zipping a back zipper, putting on, or reaching for a seat belt. Long-term regular participation, and short-term participation in exercise and physical activities can slow down this negative progress (Tekur, Nagendra, & Raghuram, 2008; Bates, Donaldson, Lloyd, Castell, Krolik, & Coleman, 2009)
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