Aerobic Capacity of Chilean Adults and Elderly: Proposal of Classification by Regional Percentiles

Abstract

Introduction Aerobic fitness is an important predictor that contributes to the preservation of functional independence during the aging process. Its measurement represents a fundamental tool in the identification of multiple health problems. Objective To compare the aerobic capacity of adults and elderly subjects through international studies and to develop percentiles by age group using the LMS method. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 1146 subjects (437 men and 709 women). The age group of the sample ranged from 50 to 84 years. The subjects evaluated came from the physical activity programs offered by the National Sports Institute (IND) and by the city council of Talca (Chile). Body mass, stature, oxygen saturation (SatO2), six-minute walk test, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for both sexes. The LMS method was used to propose the percent distribution. Results Aerobic capacity decreases with age (28.5% for men and 29.9% for women). There was a negative relationship between age and the six-minute walk test (men r = -0.13 and women r = -0.39). There was a discrepancy between the elderly subjects in the current study and those from international studies. The normative data for the classification of aerobic fitness were expressed in percentiles (p3, p5, p10, p15, p25, p50, p75, p85, p90, p95 and p97). Conclusion The aerobic performance of elderly subjects diminishes as they age; in addition, the current results differ from international studies, which motivated the development of percentiles to classify aerobic fitness in everyday situations, especially in places with few resources and particularly where field tests are considered a priority for large-scale physical evaluation. Level of evidence II; Diagnostic studies – investigation of diagnostic test.

Normative values to assess functional fitness in older adults in a region of Chile.

“…Overall, these functional tness tests evaluated in this study clearly re ected discrepancies with international studies [3,[4][5][6][8][9][10]. Since, physical test results may be due to a variety of factors, including geographic variations, lifestyles, medical care, and individual characteristics of OAs [21][22][23].…”

“…However, as far as is known, in Chile there are no reference values to assess functional tness in OAs of both sexes. Except for some studies that address some physical tests such as aerobic tness through the 6minute walk test in adults of both sexes aged 50 to 84 years [10], or the proposed SFT in adult women aged 60 to 85 years [11].…”

“…Consequently, Chile is a country with a marked process of nutritional and demographic transition, with marked sociocultural and regional differences [10] (Urzua-Alul et al, 2019). Therefore, the international reference values that evaluate functional tness could hardly be adapted to the Chilean population.…”

Effects of virtual reality-based aerobic endurance training on the functional fitness of healthy older adults: A systematic review

“…(7) This physical activity tends to decrease in older adults due to the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases during the aging process. (8,9) Therefore, reduced cardiac contractility, conduction velocity and baroreceptor sensitivity, decreased cardiac output and blood flow, valvular insufficiency, increased arterial wall stiffness, decreased thoracic, alveolar and pulmonary distensibility, loss of valvular and respiratory muscle strength, reduced cilia and cough reflex, among others, can reduce pulse rate during exercise. Additionally they can reduce cardiac reserve, and increase blood pressure.…”