Gro Gujord Tangen1,2,3, Hilde Stendal Robinson4. 1. Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1089, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway. g.g.tangen@medisin.uio.no. 2. Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tonsberg, Norway. g.g.tangen@medisin.uio.no. 3. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. g.g.tangen@medisin.uio.no. 4. Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1089, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Higher age is associated with reduced physical capability in the general population. The role of age and gender for physical performance in older adults who exercises regularly is, however, not clear, and there is also a lack of recommendations for outcomes to address physical performance for this population. AIMS: To explore the associations between physical performance, age and gender, and to examine the suitability and feasibility of clinical field tests for physical performance in active older adults. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we included 105 persons, 70-90 years of age, who had exercised regularly for ≥ 12 months. The field tests were Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go and gait speed for mobility; One-leg standing (OLS) test and Mini-BESTest for balance; Stair test for endurance, 30 s sit-to-stand, and grip strength for muscle strength. RESULTS: We found associations between age and physical performance, and the associations were slightly stronger for women. Men performed better on tests of muscle strength, balance and endurance, while no gender differences were found in mobility. Grip strength was not associated with mobility tests for men. All tests were feasible, while SPPB and OLS had ceiling and floor effects that limit their suitability in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Both age and gender were associated with physical performance. We recommend using the gait speed, Mini-BESTest, 30 s sit-to-stand, grip strength and stair tests to assess physical performance in physically active older adults.
BACKGROUND: Higher age is associated with reduced physical capability in the general population. The role of age and gender for physical performance in older adults who exercises regularly is, however, not clear, and there is also a lack of recommendations for outcomes to address physical performance for this population. AIMS: To explore the associations between physical performance, age and gender, and to examine the suitability and feasibility of clinical field tests for physical performance in active older adults. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we included 105 persons, 70-90 years of age, who had exercised regularly for ≥ 12 months. The field tests were Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go and gait speed for mobility; One-leg standing (OLS) test and Mini-BESTest for balance; Stair test for endurance, 30 s sit-to-stand, and grip strength for muscle strength. RESULTS: We found associations between age and physical performance, and the associations were slightly stronger for women. Men performed better on tests of muscle strength, balance and endurance, while no gender differences were found in mobility. Grip strength was not associated with mobility tests for men. All tests were feasible, while SPPB and OLS had ceiling and floor effects that limit their suitability in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Both age and gender were associated with physical performance. We recommend using the gait speed, Mini-BESTest, 30 s sit-to-stand, grip strength and stair tests to assess physical performance in physically active older adults.
Authors: Keenan A Ramsey; Carel G M Meskers; Marijke C Trappenburg; Maria Giulia Bacalini; Massimo Delledonne; Paolo Garagnani; Carolyn Greig; Victor Kallen; Nico van Meeteren; Natal van Riel; Nadine Correia Santos; Sarianna Sipilä; Janice L Thompson; Anna C Whittaker; Andrea B Maier Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2022-05-31
Authors: Diane Nogueira Paranhos Amorim; Dahan da Cunha Nascimento; Whitley Stone; Vicente Paulo Alves; Karla Helena Coelho Vilaça E Silva Journal: Osteoporos Sarcopenia Date: 2022-05-27