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FUNCTIONAL FITNESS AND DAILY STEPS OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

B. Sue Graves, FACSM1, Fereshteh Ahmadabadi2, John Crimmins2. 1Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL. 2Keiser University, West Palm Beach, FL.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gender on functional fitness and pedometer (activity counts) in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Sixty-five community-dwelling older adults (38 Female; 27 male) aged 80 ± 7.55 years (mean height: 167.31 ± 10.03 cm; weight: 73.08 ± 15.01 kg; and body mass index: 25.95 ± 4.26 kg/m2) were evaluated with the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) for aerobic endurance, balance, agility, functional strength, and flexibility. Each wore an activity tracker that was worn on the participant’s shoe for 7 days, per manufacturer’s instructions. In addition, the participants completed questionnaires; the mini nutritional assessment (MNA), body image, and geriatric depression scale (GDS). RESULTS: The results showed that compared to women, the six-minute walk (P < 0.01), eight-foot and go (P = 0.02), daily steps (P < 0.01), and total steps for week (P = 0.03) in men was significantly higher. However, women showed a significant high level of sit and reach (P < 0.01) and body image (P = 0.01) compared to men. No significant difference was found in MNA (P = 42), GDS (P = 0.86), chair stand (P = 0.48), arm curls (P = 0.58) and back scratch (P = 0.56) between men and women. CONCLUSION: This study found greater functional fitness and daily steps in men adults. Older women may need to increase step count per day/week and continue to concentrate on their strength training.

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