Functional fitness in older people: A population-based cross-sectional study in Borba, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Aging has been associated with loss of physical capacity caused by the deterioration of most physiological systems. Objective: To analyze the differences in functional Fitness (FF) associated with gender, age and physical activity (PA), and to compare the FF scores of Borbenses with other populations. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out, comprising 233 elderly (71,2±8,9 yrs old; range between 60,0 to 95,7 yrs old). The FF was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery and PA was estimated by questionnaire. Result: After controlling for age and PA, sex-related differences in FF were only found in shoulder flexibility (favoring women) and in aerobic endurance (AE, favoring men). There were age-related differences in lower body strength (LBS) and AE in both genders and in agility/dynamic balance in men, and upper body strength in women, only, (favoring the younger age group). PA-related differences in FF were only found in trunk flexibility (favoring the active group). Borba population had higher scores in the trunk flexibility than both samples studied and higher scores in shoulder flexibility than Madeiran, only. Conclusion: Except for flexibility and AE, our results indicated FF homogeneity between men and women. The oldest men and women underperformed in LBS and AE. The rest of the FF components may be more dependent on other related factors such as sex, lifestyles, and the environment. Taking into consideration the reference population from the US and Portugal, Borba population underperformed on the majority of FF components, with the exception of flexibility.