The physical condition of elderly women differing in habitual physical activity.

In a cross-sectional study, 50 elderly women (age 71.5 +/- 4.2 yr, mean +/- SD) participated in a battery of tests assessing several aspects of physical fitness. The women were selected based on tertiles of habitual physical activity as determined by a validated questionnaire 10 months ago. The tests comprised the following measurements: peak expiratory flow, flexibility of shoulder joint, flexibility of hip and spine, balance, reaction time, grip strength, manual dexterity, and endurance. Additionally, data were collected on height, body weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A questionnaire was used to evaluate subjective fitness and general subjective health. Results indicated that physically more active elderly women tend to have better results on most tests. Body weight and body mass index, flexibility of the hip and spine (assessed using a sit-and-reach test), and endurance on a walk test were significantly better in the more active women. Test results are confirmed by subjective evaluation by the participants.