Physical performance, body composition, and quality of life in elderly women from clubs for the retired and living in twilight homes

Abstract

SummaryStudy aim: To explore how elderly people with different living conditions are characterized by their fitness, body composition, and quality of life. Material and methods: Women aged 60 years and over (n = 60; age = 76.2 ± 7.6 years) were examined in crosssectional study from a medium-sized city in western Hungary. Participants were chosen from a twilight home (n=27, age = 79.4 ± 7.7years) and clubs for retired people (n = 33, age = 73.7 ± 6.6 years). Physical fitness status was assessed by Fullerton Functional Fitness Test -Senior Fitness Test (FFFT); body composition (BC) with Inbody-720 bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy; and quality of life with WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data were analysed with the use of t-test for independent samples and stepwise discriminant analysis. Results: FFFT shows significant differences in each variable: lower and upper body strength, aerobic endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, and dynamic balance. These variables were significantly higher in the clubs for retired people. The BC of twilight home residents was significantly lower in height and fat-free mass. Regarding quality of life, there were significant differences in perception, autonomy, and sociability for the favour of elderly in clubs; however, there were no differences in activities of past, present and future, or differences in attitudes towards death or intimacy. Conclusions: A sedentary and institutionalized lifestyle with little variety in daily activity and programing has a negative effect on physical fitness status, body composition, and quality of life. Self-motivation, active lifestyle, and regular and varied programs seem to have leading roles in the quality of life in elder population.

Frailty decreases physical health domain of quality of life in nursing home elderly

“…This is because the respondents were living in nursing homes so that their daily activities were less than those of elderly who are living in the community. This statement is supported by Barthalos et al (2012) who informed that lifestyle and nursinghome dwelling with slight variations in daily activities negatively affect the status of physical fitness, body composition, and quality of life. Selfmotivation, active lifestyle, regular and varied programs seem to have a major role in the quality of life of the elderly population.…”

“…Selfmotivation, active lifestyle, regular and varied programs seem to have a major role in the quality of life of the elderly population. (13) An advanced age was predicted relating to sensory, motoric and cognitive changes that potentially prevent the elderly to function effectively. (14) In advanced age, the physiological system will have abnormalities in structure and function.…”

Body Composition Comparisons by Age Groups in Hungarian Adults

“…A sedentary and institutionalized lifestyle with little variety in daily activity and programing has a negative effect on physical fitness status, body composition, and quality of life. Self-motivation, active lifestyle, and regular and varied programs seem to have leading roles in the quality of life in elder population (Barthalos et al, 2012). The WHO body fat percentage recommendations (Gallagher et al, 2000b) show a 2-3% increase in comparing the age categories.…”

Structural and functional markers of health depending on lifestyle in elderly women from Poland

“…A great deal of the literature has considered an active lifestyle along with physical activity to be important predictors of the quality of life of older people. 21 – 23 Nonetheless, in order for any kind of health promotion program to be successful when put into practice, it is necessary to first understand the overall health of the targeted population of older adults depending on lifestyle. The decline in both structural and functional characteristics with age requires broad, comprehensive diagnosis using a wide gamut of biological markers of health.…”