|
|
|
« Back
Physical Fitness Tests That Stand the Test of Time
|
Posted on: 11/30/1999
|
As the population ages, doctors are increasingly concerned about promoting physical fitness among older adults. Physical fitness improves cardiovascular health. It also improves older adults' ability to do tasks of daily living. Physical fitness can prevent falls and lower the risk of fractures from falls. It may even reduce nursing home admissions.
Doctors need ways to test physical fitness in older adults. Such tests need to be safe for older adults to do. They also need to have some real relationship to health and function.
A group of doctors in Finland tried out a series of physical fitness tests on a large group of men and women between the ages of 55 and 79. In order to make the tests safe, some participants were excluded due to health problems. Participants who got past the health screening did tests of balance, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. These tests included a one-legged stand; side, back, and leg bends; a one-legged squat; short and long walking tests; and a stair climb.
Could the participants safely do the tests? The older participants got, the less likely it was that they could safely do the tests. For women, the main limitation was bone and joint health. For men, cardiovascular health was also a problem. Even so, about 85 percent of the participants could safely do the tests. Participants were most likely to be excluded from the back extension test (raising the upper body from a bent-over position) and the one-legged squat. Women in the oldest age group were often excluded from the one-legged stand and the long walk. Only one injury occurred during the tests.
Did the tests actually measure health and function? Yes. Test performance was strongly related to participants' ratings of their health and ability to do daily activities.
Obesity was linked to poorer function for both men and women. This suggests that weight control may help older adults do activities of daily living. For women, obesity was also linked to poorer health. In general, the ability to do daily activities was a better gauge of fitness than participants' ratings of their own health.
A series of physical fitness tests can safely be done by middle-aged and older adults as long as participants are screened for health problems first. Walking, climbing stairs, standing from a seated position, and back extension are good measures of health and function. These tests can be used in programs to improve physical fitness among older adults.
|
References:
Jarmo J. Malmberg, MSc, et al. A Health-Related Fitness and Functional Performance Test Battery for Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Feasibility and Health-Related Content Validity. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. May 2002. Vol. 83. No. 5. Pp. 666-677.
|
|
|
« Back
|
|
|
|
*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
 | All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. |
|
