Validity of Equation to Estimate the Physical Fitness Age in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Women

Abstract

In Japan, people over 65 years old exist approximately 23 %. Therefore, maintaining physical fitness is important for healthy aging in older adults. The performance tests have the merit of providing objective, quantifiable information on physical fitness in older adults. PURPOSE: To assess the validity of equation to estimate the physical fitness age (FFA) in community-dwelling older Japanese women. METHODS: Subjects were 267 Japanese female volunteers aged 61 to 88 years (73.4 +/- 5.2 years), living independently in community. Subjects participated in 6 physical performance tests (grip strength (X1), sit-ups (X2), sit and reach (X3), one leg balance with eyes open (X4), 10 m hurdle walking (X5) and 6 minute walking (X6)), named 'new physical fitness test' proposed by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. The physical fitness score was calculated by the method of guidelines. The single regression analysis, multiple regression analysis and principal component analysis ware used to obtain the equation estimating the physical fitness age. RESULTS: The decision coefficients of 0.18, 0.39 and 0.54 were obtained by the single regression analysis, multiple regression analysis and principal component analysis, respectively. The results showed that the following equation of FFA obtain by the principal component analysis would be a most accurate method: FFA=0.304 X1+0.176 X2+0.118 X3+0.025 X4-1.087 X5 +0.018 X6+1.366 CA-42.35 (CA: chronological age). CONCLUSION: The proposed test equation could be a useful instrument for providing a comprehensive measure of physical fitness.