Functional Fitness and Quality of Life among Women over 60 Years of Age Depending on Their Level of Objectively Measured Physical Activity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the differences in functional fitness and quality of life among women over 60 years of age depending on their level of objectively measured physical activity (PA) according to Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for health. The study used a cross-sectional design with 213 female volunteers over 60 years of age. Physical activity was monitored for 7 days of the week using an Actigraph Gt3X monitor. The Senior Fitness Test battery and hand-grip strength tests were performed to assess functional fitness. Quality of life was self-reported using a short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire WHOQOL-bref. Women who met the PA recommendations achieved slightly better results in most functional tests and in all domains of quality of life. Significant differences were found in the upper body strength, dynamic balance, and social relationships domains of quality of life. Physical activity programs developed on the basis of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations have the potential to improve functional fitness and quality of life. However, further experimental studies in this area are required.

Efficacy of Physical Activity in Prevention of Muscle Weakness in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease

“…In our study, the HGS of the elderly with low PA was significantly lower than that of the elderly with high PA (22.95 (17.82, 31.00) vs. 27.05 (21.80, 33.73), P < 0.01) at baseline. This is consistent with previous reports that have shown that female volunteers over 60 years of age who did not meet the PA recommendations had low physical function [26]. Our finding that the HGS of elderly patients with CLD and low PA decreased significantly indicated that decrease in physical function and PA affect each other.…”

“…Our study showed that characteristics of low PA included more living alone and more sarcopenia than those of high PA in elderly patients. A previous study showed that the quality of life domain of social relationships is declining in the low PA population [26]. Our results partially explained the reality of the decline in the quality of life domain of social relationships.…”

The Impact Activity on the Quality of Life of Seniors Living in Retirement Homes

“…They found that PA women had a slight improvement in QoL scores, regardless of the area as women who were underactive 35 . Many studies have seen the positive impact of PA on the QoL 35,36,37,38 . In his study, Vagetti et al 14 2015detect improvement in the ten domains of QoL connected with higher frequency moderate to vigorous PA even at a weekly physical activity 14 .…”

“…The Nawrocka et al 35 (2019) study found that the QoL in the domain of social relationships is significantly related to the level of PA. They found that PA women had a slight improvement in QoL scores, regardless of the area as women who were underactive 35 . Many studies have seen the positive impact of PA on the QoL 35,36,37,38 .…”

“…In his study, Vagetti et al 14 2015detect improvement in the ten domains of QoL connected with higher frequency moderate to vigorous PA even at a weekly physical activity 14 . A study conducted with the Polish population of Puciato et al 39 (2018) evaluated the QoL using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, found that by increasing the respondents' PA there was improved overall QoL 39,35 . In their study, they evaluated PA using an international questionnaire on PA (IPAQ) 39 while our study focused on evaluating PA using an accelerometer.…”