Functional Fitness Test Research Articles

Functional Fitness and Risk of Stroke in Elderly Korean Women

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability in Korea. Physical activity and fitness is inversely related to stroke risk. Although functional fitness is emphasized in elderly for the prevention of disease and/or independence life, the relationship between functional fitness and stroke risk is poorly understood. PURPOSE: To examine the association between functional fitness and the risk of stroke in elderly women METHODS: The study participants were community dwelling Korean women (n=363) aged 65 years or older (70.6±4.3 years; body mass index (BMI)=24.8±3.2 kg/m2). All participants completed a basic medical examination and functional fitness testing of the Korea Institute of Sport Science Fitness project in 2015. The stroke risk was estimated using the Framingham risk score for probability of stroke using age, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive therapy, diabetes mellitus, smoking, cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation and left ventricular hypertrophy by electrocardiogram. Each fitness test was grouped using quartiles and the stroke risk score of each fitness test was compared using ANOVA (p<.05) and Bonforroni as a Post-hoc test. RESULTS: The functional fitness levels were 475.5±106.8m for 6-minute walk (WALK), 43.3±11.4 for relative grip strength (GRIP), 17.3±5.5 for chair stand, 12.6±11.6cm for chair sit-and-reach, and 1.3±0.2 m/sec for 5-m gait speed (GAIT). The stroke risks were different in all fitness tests such as WALK (p<.0001), GRIP (p=.047), chair stand (p=.001), chair sit-and-reach (p<.001) and GAIT (p<.0001). There was an increase in stroke risk for the lowest fitness group compared with the highest group for WALK, GRIP, chair stand, chair sit-and-reach and GAIT. However, the inverse association between functional fitness level and stroke risk was not found after adjustment for age and BMI except WALK (p=.013). There was a reduction in stroke risk for the highest group (7.2±4.46) of WALK compared with the lowest group (13.7±9.13) in community dwelling elderly Korean women. CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory fitness among function fitness items was only associated with the reduced risk of stroke after adjustment for age and BMI in the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness might need to be emphasized in the prevention of stroke in community dwelling elderly women.

The Role of Functional Fitness in the Relationship between Age and Perceived Health

PURPOSE: To investigate the mediation of flexibility, strength, coordination, and endurance on the physical and mental component of perceived health in old adult (55-64 yrs: n=51) and young old (75-84 yrs: n=41) individuals. METHODS: A functional fitness test battery (chair sit-and-reach, SR; 30-s chair stand, CS; in-phase and anti-phase inter-limb coordination, IP and AP; and 3-min walking, W) and the SF-12 questionnaire (Component Summaries: Physical-PCS, and Mental-MCS) were administered. ANOVA verified differences (p<0.05) between groups and a serial multiple mediator model with four mediators (i.e., flexibility, strength, coordination, and endurance) was applied to the relation between age and MCS. RESULTS: No difference emerged for IP and PCS. The 55-64 yrs individuals showed better values (p<0.05) for SR (2.9±12.4cm), CS (15.6±3.5n), AP (68.5±73.7s), and W (321.4±40.0m) with respect to their older counterparts (SR: -3.8±10.8cm; CS: 14.0±3.5n; AP: 15.2±34.7s; W: 280.0±45.8m). Conversely for MCS, 75-84 yrs individuals showed higher values (48.7±10.7pt) with respect to their younger counterparts (53.5±7.7pt). A negative total (-4.8, p=0.02) and direct effect (-8.4 p<0.01) of age on the MCS component emerged, mediated by the indirect effects of SR-AP (0.5), SR-CS-W (0.2), AP (2.1), and W (1.6). CONCLUSION: The better perceived mental health of 75-84 yrs individuals with respect to their younger counterparts might indicate that they positively negotiated the decline of their functional fitness. Furthermore, the mediating effects of coordination and endurance on the relationship between age and perceived mental health highlighted that these capabilities play a role with advancing age by acting independently and in association with flexibility and strength.

Effectiveness of Community-Based Health Promotion Program on Functional Fitness, Depression and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Performing of exercise program for several times per week is currently incompatible with the community health program mode. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 14-week community-based health promotion program on functional fitness, depression and quality of life in older adults. The health promotion program in this study involved with four themes, including dementia prevention, nutrition, oral hygiene and fall prevention Three-hundred and seven subjects above 55 years old were recruited separately into exercise intervention group (n = 159) and control group (n = 148) by randomized sampling. However, only 200 participants completely performed the functional fitness test and questionnaires before (pre) and after (post) the study intervention. The frailty level of subjects was determined by Chinese-Canadian study of health and aging clinical frailty scale before intervention. Subsequent community-based health promotion program was performed (110 min per day, once per week, for 14 weeks) by exercise intervention group. Participants in control group were maintained the habitual life style during the study. The results after 14-week health promotion program have shown that strength and cardiovascular fitness (CF) of participants were significantly improved in exercise intervention group compared to control group. The statistical main effect of these improvements in strength and cardiovascular fitness are from the non-frailty subjects. Depression score (DS) was significantly attenuated in exercise group compared to control group. Nevertheless, agility performance of older adults in this study was declined after exercise intervention. No differences were reported in body weight and flexibility between the groups. This is the first study to demonstrate that 14-week community based health promotion program enhanced the strength and CF in non-frailty elderly and improved DS in pre-frailty elderly. However, no positive effect on agility performance was noticed.

Valores normativos de aptidão funcional em mulheres não ativas na pós-menopausa

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n1p32 The aim of this study was to propose the normative table for the non active postmenopausal Brazilian population composed of women aged 50-69 years through the AAHPERD functional fitness test battery. This is a cross-sectional study with 170 postmenopausal women (FSH dose&gt; 26.72 mIU / L). The population was divided into two groups: 50-59 years (n = 97) and 60-69 years (n = 73). The inclusion criteria were not having participated of systematic motor intervention in the six months prior to the study period; not presenting motor or cognitive impairments that could impair the performance of evaluation protocols and absence of comorbidities that could prevent or limit evaluations. The group aged 50-59 years showed mean values of 55.6 ± 2.9 years for age, 54.0 ± 21.1 mIU / ml for FSH, 11.3 ± 1.8 seconds for coordination 20.2 ± 4.0 repetitions for strength, 51.9 ± 11.8 cm for flexibility, 23.0 ± 2.4 seconds for speed and 497 ± 39 seconds for aerobic resistance. The group aged 60-69 years showed mean values of 64.2 ± 2.8 years of age, 54.9 ± 16.1 mIU / ml for FSH, 11.5 ± 2.5 seconds for coordination, 20.2 ± 4.3 repetitions for strength, 54.4 ± 10.9 cm for flexibility, 24.5 ± 4.0 seconds for speed and 507 ± 47 seconds for aerobic resistance. The proposal of a normative table was made possible with the data analyzed, which is a new reference regarding functional fitness studies especially in physically inactive postmenopausal women.

Functional test measures as risk indicators for low back pain among fixed-wing military pilots

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to find out the risk value of functional fitness test (FFT) results for low back pain (LBP) among fixed-wing military pilots.MethodsA total of 104...

Effect of Aerobic Exercise Interventions on Mobility among Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine studies that examined the effectiveness of aerobic exercise interventions on mobility in long-term stroke survivors. The authors searched electronic databases for randomized control trials between January 1995 and December 2014 investigating aerobic exercise interventions and mobility in stroke survivors after the subacute phase (>6 mos). Mobility was measured using objective functional fitness tests: 6-minute walk, 10-meter walk, and up-n-go. Nine randomized control trials that compared aerobic exercise with a control group among stroke survivors (mean age, 56.95-68 yrs) were identified. Aerobic interventions lasted between 2 and 6 mos and primarily involved walking. Using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software, it was found that two of the three mobility outcomes showed small to moderate effect sizes favoring the aerobic exercise group: 6-minute walk (g = 0.366, P < 0.001) and 10-meter walk (g = 0.411, P = 0.002), while the up-n-go test was not significant (g = -0.150, P = 0.330). These findings demonstrate that stroke survivors may continue to benefit from aerobic exercise after the subacute phase. Future research needs to examine the precise dose and recommendation for aerobic exercise, test other exercise modalities, and use larger samples to thoroughly determine long-term exercise effects on mobility in this population.

Effects of exercise intervention on the functional fitness of community elderly

This study aims to discuss the effects of the 12-week exercise intervention on the functional fitness of community elderly. Total 25 community elderly aged above 65 are proceeded functional fitness tests. The data are analyzed with Descriptive Statistics. The results show that the male elderly significantly enhance the upper limb strength (musculus biceps brachii left arm curling, musculus biceps brachii right arm curling), static balance (open-eye single leg standing), and agility and dynamic balance (chair stand detour) and the female elderly make remarkable progress on the upper limb strength (musculus biceps brachii left arm curling, musculus biceps brachii right arm curling), cardiorespiratory endurance (high knees in place), static balance (open-eye single leg standing), and agility and dynamic balance (chair stand detour) after the 12-week regular exercise intervention. With functional fitness tests, the research findings reveal that regular exercise presents the effectiveness on distinct physical fitness of community elderly, while the aerobic endurance and upper/lower body flexibility still require improvement. Apparently, it is suggested to practice courses with stages and match fitness test results to adjust types of exercise and exercise intensity in order to achieve the effect.

Is there a Place for the Fullerton Test in Evaluation of Heart Failure Patients? The Relationship between Exertional Gas Exchange Parameters and Functional Fitness in Patients with Heart Failure: A Pilot Study

Background: To minimize the effect of heart failure (HF) on quality of life and to reduce the economic burden, it is necessary to provide means of rehabilitation and prognosis evaluation for patients. Patients with severe HF might not be able to perform the most commonly used cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), even using the easiest protocols. The Fullerton functional fitness test, developed for the elderly, might be suitable for evaluation of such patients. Our aim was to determine relationship between functional fitness and exertional gas exchange parameters in HF patients, and if they performed worse in functional fitness tests than patients without HF. Methods: Twenty-one male patients were included in this prospective registry; twelve with HF and nine without. They underwent the standard Fullerton test; the six-minute-walk test (6MWT; patient walks for six minutes along a corridor, and the distance covered is measured; it is a submaximal exercise test for healthy individuals) was modified by using a portable CPET device to record exertional gas exchange parameters. Results: The HF patients had lower left ventricular ejection fraction and were younger; they presented significantly worse “chair sit-and-reach” results (-0.18 vs. 1.81 cm, p=0.041) and 6-minute walking distance (334.8 vs. 508.4 m, p=0.002), less exercise repetitions in “chair stand” (10.7 vs. 15.1, p<0.001) and “arm curl” (13 vs. 16.8, p<0.001), longer time to perform “8-foot up-and-go” (7.1 vs. 5.6 s, p=0.030), higher VE/VCO2 slope (34.1 vs. 29, p=0.005), and tended to present lower peak oxygen uptake parameters (VO2/kg 11.8 vs. 14, p=0.13; VO2 0.99 vs. 1.22, p=0.10; VO2 as percentage of predicted 43.1 vs. 55.4, p=0.14). 6 MWT, “chair stand” and “arm curl” showed the strongest correlations with AT VE/VCO2 (r=-0.58, p=0.006; r=-0.57, p=0.007; r=-0.62, p=0.003 respectively) and VE/VCO2 slope (r=-0.60, p=0.004; r=-0.52, p=0.015; r=-0.50, p=0.021 respectively) and VO2 as percentage of predicted (r=0.59, p=0.005; r=0.55, p=0.009; r=0.47, p=0.031 respectively); 6MWT correlated strongly with VO2/kg (r=0.61, p=0.004). Conclusion: HF patients perform worse in the Fullerton test than patients without HF. Physical fitness is related to CPET parameters taken during 6MWT. Lower physical fitness is related to lower exercise capacity and worse ventilatory efficiency. The Fullerton test may be useful in complex evaluation of HF patients.

Functional Fitness Testing Results Following Long-Duration ISS Missions.

Long-duration spaceflight missions lead to the loss of muscle strength and endurance. Significant reduction in muscle function can be hazardous when returning from spaceflight. To document these losses, NASA developed medical requirements that include measures of functional strength and endurance. Results from this Functional Fitness Test (FFT) battery are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of in-flight exercise countermeasures. The purpose of this paper is to document results from the FFT and correlate this information with performance of in-flight exercise on board the International Space Station. The FFT evaluates muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and agility and includes the following eight measures: sit and reach, cone agility, push-ups, pull-ups, sliding crunches, bench press, leg press, and hand grip dynamometry. Pre- to postflight functional fitness measurements were analyzed using dependent t-tests and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between functional fitness measurements and in-flight exercise workouts. Significant differences were noted post space flight with the sit and reach, cone agility, leg press, and hand grip measurements while other test scores were not significantly altered. The relationships between functional fitness and in-flight exercise measurements showed minimal to moderate correlations for most in-flight exercise training variables. The change in FFT results can be partially explained by in-flight exercise performance. Although there are losses documented in the FFT results, it is important to realize that the crewmembers are successfully performing activities of daily living and are considered functional for normal activities upon return to Earth.

Test–retest reliability and minimal detectable change scores of twelve functional fitness tests in adults with Down syndrome

AimThe purpose of the study was to explore the test–retest reliability and minimal detectable change of selected functional fitness test items in adults with Down syndrome. MethodsForty-three adults with Down syndrome (24 men and 19 women) aged 18–50 years completed a battery of tests twice in a two-week period. The battery of tests consisted of two balance items, two flexibility items, five muscular strength and endurance items, two aerobic items, and one functional task. All items were considered valid and reliable tests in a general elderly or intellectually disabled population. The test–retest relative reliability for all repeated tests was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient performing one-way analysis of variance. The test–retest absolute variability was measured by using the standard error of measurement (SEM) to calculate the minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence interval (MDC90). Reliability data was visualised with a Bland–Altman plot. ResultsAll tests showed excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC's>0.9). All SEM values demonstrated acceptable measurement precision (SEM<SD/2). Values for MDC90 are provided for all 12 tests. The analyses indicated that there was no major systematic bias in the plots. The scatter around the Bland–Altman was distributed randomly. ConclusionAll twelve functional fitness tests demonstrated adequate feasibility and relative and absolute test–retest reliability in adults with Down syndrome in South Africa. Information of this nature will help to monitor performance alterations over time and success of training interventions.

Assessment of functional, coordination and power fitness of 7-8 form boys

Purpose: determination of informative indicators of 7-8 form boys’ motor and functional fitness. Material: in the research 24 pupils of 7 th form and 35 pupils of 8 th form participated. For assessment of functional and motor fitness test of Shtange, Genchi, Serkin and motor tests were conducted. Results: Analysis witnesses that be results of testing between boys of 7 th and 8 th dorm there are statistically confident differences by most of indicators (p-0.05:0.001). By functioning of respiratory and blood circulation systems 7-8 form boy pupils were assessed as healthy-not trained. Conclusions: structural coefficients of canonic discriminant function witness that the function is connected to the largest extent with variables. So, substantial difference between 7 th for pupils and 8 th form pupils was observed in condition of motor abilities: speed-power, coordination of movements and strength itself.

Yoga Is as Good as Stretching-Strengthening Exercises in Improving Functional Fitness Outcomes: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Despite yoga's popularity, few clinical trials have employed rigorous methodology to systematically explore its functional benefits compared with more established forms of exercise. The objective of this study was to compare the functional benefits of yoga with the conventional stretching-strengthening exercises recommended for adults. Sedentary healthy adults (N = 118; M age = 62.0) participated in an 8-week (three times a week for 1 hour) randomized controlled trial, which consisted of a Hatha yoga group (n = 61) and a stretching-strengthening exercise group (n = 57). Standardized functional fitness tests assessing balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility were administered at baseline and postintervention. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant time effect for measures of balance [F(3,18) = 4.88, p < .01, partial η(2) = .45], strength [F(2,19) = 15.37, p < .001, partial η(2) = .62], flexibility [F(4,17) = 8.86, p < .001, partial η(2) = .68], and mobility [F(2,19) = 8.54, p < .002, partial η(2) = .47]. Both groups showed significant improvements on measures of balance (left-right leg and four square step); strength (chair stands and arm curls); flexibility (back scratch and sit-and-reach); and mobility (gait speed and 8-feet up and go), with partial η(2) ranging from .05 to .47. These data suggest that regular yoga practice is just as effective as stretching-strengthening exercises in improving functional fitness. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine functional benefits of yoga in comparison with stretching-strengthening exercises in sedentary, healthy, community-dwelling older adults. These findings have clinical implications as yoga is a more amenable form of exercise than strengthening exercises as it requires minimal equipment and can be adapted for individuals with lower levels of functioning or disabilities.

Does functional fitness decline in accordance with our expectation? - a pilot study in healthy female.

BackgroundAging may cause various functional abilities gradually deteriorate. With changes in social forms, the trend of functional fitness decline will change accordingly. Therefore, this study endeavored to identify the trends in functional fitness decline by comparing the differences in the functional fitness of females in various age groups.MethodsThirty six healthy females were divided into 3 age groups: young healthy females (20 to 30 y); middle-age (45 to 55 y); and older (65 to 75 y). Functional fitness test battery included flexibility, muscle strength/endurance, aerobic endurance, balance and agility.ResultsThe performance in the elderly group was significantly worse (P < .05) in all the tests, whereas the muscle strength and endurance, as well as aerobic endurance for the middle-age group showed significantly lower than young groups (P < .05).ConclusionsThe reduction in lower extremity muscle strength occurs in the middle-age group. We recommend that middle-age women be conscious of the reduction in their lower extremity muscle strength and conduct advanced preparations for future aging.

Assessment of functional fitness through the set of AAHPERD tests in women after menopause: Is there a decline between the fifth and sixth decades of life?

to analize the level of functional fitness of a group of postmenopausal women in the city of Presidente Prudente using the set of functional fitness tests of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and to check whether there are differences between groups of women in the fifth and sixth decade of life. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 175 postmenopausal women (follicle stimulating hormone level>26.72 mIU/L) in the city of Presidente Prudente in 2013. The inclusion criteria were not being part of any type of systematic motor intervention for at least six months before the collection of research data; absence of motor or cognitive impairment that would prevent the evaluation protocols, and absence of chronic or degenerative disease, musculoskeletal injury or comorbidity that could prevent or limit the evaluations. The women were evaluated by the same trained examiners. The 50 to 59 year group showed a mean age of 55.3 ± 4.5 years, mean FSH values of 53.5 ± 21.1 mIU/mL, mean coordination of 11.4 ± 2.2 seconds, mean strength of 20.1 ± 3.9 repetitions, mean flexibility of 51.7 ± 11.8 cm, mean 23.2 ± 2.8 seconds agility and mean aerobic resistance of 500 ± 43/2. The 60 to 69 year group had a mean age of 65.1 ± 4.1 years with FSH 54.9 ± 15.9, 11.6 ± 2.6 seconds coordination, strength 20.3 ± 4.7 repetitions, 54.6 ± 11.2 cm flexibility, agility 24.7 ± 4.3 seconds, and aerobic resistance of 508 ± 51 seconds. It was possible to analyze the functional fitness of postmenopausal women through the set of the American Alliance testing for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance with no significant differences between groups for the variables strength, flexibility, aerobic capacity and coordination, and with only the speed variable showing significant differences. We recommend further studies seeking to formulate normative values for the population in question.

Physical exercise and functional fitness in independently living vs institutionalized elderly women: a comparison of 60- to 79-year-old city dwellers.

PurposeTo compare functional fitness (FF) levels among independent-living (IL) and day care (DC) elderly women of different age groups and to analyze changes in FF after 8 months of participation in an exercise program intervention for the IL elderly women.Materials and methodsA total of 674 elderly women were divided into four IL groups with age in the range of 60–64 years (IL60–64, n=149), 65–69 years (IL65–69, n=138), 70–74 years (IL70–74, n=135), and 75–79 years (IL75–79, n=83), and four DC groups with age in the range of 60–64 years (DC60–64, n=35), 65–69 years (DC65–69, n=34), 70–74 years (DC70–74, n=47), and 75–79 years (DC75–79, n=53). The intervention consisted of a multimodal exercise training, 3 days per week for 8 months. Senior Fitness Test battery performances were obtained at baseline and after 8-month intervention.ResultsSignificant differences were identified between all IL groups and DC groups in all FF tests (P<0.001), except between IL70–74 and DC70–74 in the chair sit-and-reach. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) identified significant improvements in all FF tests between pre- and posttests in the IL groups (P<0.001), except in the chair sit-and-reach for the IL70–74. ANCOVA also showed a significant declining performance in all FF tests for DC groups (P<0.001), except in the chair sit-and-reach for the DC70–74 and DC75–79.ConclusionIL women are more fit than institutionalized DC elderly women. The multimodal training was effective in improving all FF components related to daily living activities, in all age groups. In contrast, institutionalized elderly showed a clear tendency to worsen their FF over the time.

Independent and combined association of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being with fibromyalgia severity: the al-Ándalus project.

The present study aimed: (1) to test the associations of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being with fibromyalgia severity and (2) to determine whether the combination of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being is associated with fibromyalgia severity among adult women patients. This cross-sectional study included 424 participants from Andalusia, southern Spain. Overall physical fitness and the components of subjective well-being (positive affect, negative affect and cognitive well-being), and fibromyalgia severity were assessed using the Functional Senior Physical Fitness Test Battery, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, respectively. Overall physical fitness (β = -.23), positive affect (β = -.18), negative affect (β = .26), and cognitive well-being (β = -.18) were all associated with fibromyalgia severity. The patients with the highest overall physical fitness and increased subjective well-being reported ~15 % lower fibromyalgia severity than those with the lowest fitness and poorest subjective well-being (Cohen's d > 1.0). Our results suggest that higher levels of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being are independently associated with lower fibromyalgia severity. Moreover, patients with higher overall physical fitness and increased subjective well-being (high positive affect, low negative affect, or high cognitive well-being) reported lower fibromyalgia severity than those with low levels of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being.

Nivel de aptitud funcional en mujeres no institucionalizadas mayores de 60 años de una ciudad de España

Introduction: decrease in functional fitness (FF) in older persons is associated with a greater dependence and disability. This is an area of interest in the current context of global aging and Spain. Objective: determine the level of FF in a group of non-institutionalized women over 60 years of age from a city of Spain. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in 176 women. The FF was determined by four of the senior fitness test (SFT): arm curl test, stand, 2-min step test and '8 foot up-and-go test'. The low FF was defined from standardized cut points by Rikli & Jones (2013). Grip strength was included as another FF test. Results: the low AF was more frequent in 'arm curl test' and the grip strength (21.0% and 15.9% respectively) and the lowest decrease was chair stand with 7.4%. The FF decreased with increasing age, showing a significant difference from 75 years (p <0,05). Obese persons had lower FF in '2-min step test' and '8 foot up-and-go test' (p <0.05). Conclusion: upper limb strength was the lowest performing parameter while increasing in age and condition of obesity are associated a decrease in the FF. The evaluation of the FF is a useful tool in the diagnosis of health status in the elderly. More research is needed by aiming at the standardization of cut points associated with low FF in Spanish population.

Relationship of Functional Fitness With Daily Steps in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Walking is the main type of physical activity among community-dwelling older adults and it is associated with various health benefits. However, there is limited evidence about the relationship between functional fitness and walking performed under independent living conditions among older adults.This study examined the relationship between functional fitness and steps walked per day among older adults, both assessed objectively, with performance-based measures accounting for the effect of age, gender, and chronic conditions.In this cross-sectional study, 60 participants aged 65 years or older (mean = 76.9 ± 7.3 years, range 65-92 years) wore pedometers for 3 consecutive days. Functional fitness was measured using the Functional Fitness Test (lower and upper body strength, endurance, lower and upper body flexibility, agility/balance). The outcome measure was the mean number of steps walked for 3 days with participants classified into tertiles: low walkers (<3000 steps), medium walkers (≥3000 < 6500 steps), and high walkers (≥6500 steps).After controlling for age, gender, and the number of chronic conditions, none of the functional fitness parameters was significantly associated with steps taken per day when comparing medium walkers with low walkers. In contrast, all functional fitness parameters, except upper body flexibility, were significantly associated with steps taken per day when comparing high walkers with low walkers.In this sample of older adults, greater functional fitness was associated only with relatively high levels of walking involving 6500 steps per day or more. It was not related to medium walking levels. The findings point to the importance of interventions to maintain or enhance functional fitness among older adults.

Feasibility of integrating the "Healthy moves for aging well" program into home care aide services for frail older adults.

The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of implementing simple, safe, non-equipment evidence-based movements (Healthy Moves for Aging Well program) using an affordable and sustainable homecare-aide based delivery model that reaches the maximum possible number of frail older adults living at home in Illinois. Two local agencies were asked to identify two experienced home care aides and two inexperienced home care aides (n= 8). Each home care aides delivered the Healthy Moves to four clients (n= 16). Eight home care aides visited the client in the home and were asked to deliver the Healthy Moves program on a regular basis for a four-month time period. Outcome measures included a pre-and post- survey, a functional fitness test (older adults), and interviews. Evaluation procedures focused on older adult participants, homecare aids, and sites. The results showed that both interview and survey data revealed that most participants including older adults, home care aides, and site directors had a positive perception and high satisfaction with the program. Specially, 100% of older adult participants reported that they would recommend the program to others. Additionally, seniors and home care aides reported that they enjoyed working with each other on the program and both site directors reported that dissemination of the program in the State of Illinois employing home care aides was feasible and acceptable. Our study results indicate that Healthy Moves for Aging Well could be safely and successfully be disseminated to frail older adults in the State of Illinois.

The effect of caffeine ingestion on functional performance in older adults.

Caffeine is a widely used nutritional supplement which has been shown to enhance both physical and cognitive performance in younger adults. However, few studies have assessed the effect of caffeine ingestion on performance, particularly functional performance in older adults. The present study aims to assess the effect of acute caffeine ingestion on functional performance, manual dexterity and readiness to invest effort in older adults. 19 apparently healthy, volunteers (10 females and 9 males aged 61-79; 66 ± 2 years) performed tests of functional fitness and manual dexterity post ingestion of caffeine (3mg*kg-1) or placebo in a randomised order. Pre and 60 minutes post ingestion, participants also completed measures of readiness to invest physical (RTIPE) and mental (RTIME) effort. A series of repeated measures ANOVAS indicated enhanced performance in the following functional fitness tests; arm curls (P = .04), 8 foot up and go (P = .007), six minute walk (P = .016). Manual dexterity was also improved in the presence of caffeine (P = .001). RTIME increased (P = .015) pre to post ingestion in the caffeine condition but not in the placebo condition. There were no significant main effects or interactions for RTIPE or gender in any analysis (all P > .05). The results of this study suggest that acute caffeine ingestion positively enhances functional performance, manual dexterity and readiness to invest effort in apparently healthy older adults.