Differences in physical fitness and subjectively rated physical health in Vietnamese and German older adults

Functional Capacity of Tai Chi-Practicing Elderly People

Research shows that ageing is modifiable or modulable, attending to external modifications and lifestyle factors: physical activity has a unique contribution to functional health and energy balance. Extensive research shows Tai Chi (TC) produced a major physical condition. To determine the impact of lifestyle on functional capacity, comparing the impact of continued long-life practice. 113 individuals (±71.53 years old): (a) PTC (n = 27); senior competitors, life-long training; (b) TC (n = 27); ±4 years; (c) Keep-Fit (KF n = 36); ±4 years; and the control group (d) sedentary individuals (SI n = 23). Five tests from the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) were used to assess the physical condition. The TC group showed significantly better results than the KF group: 30-s chair stand (23.22 ± 3.08 * rep vs. 17.17 ± 2.96 rep), chair sit-and-reach (2.19 ± 4.85 * cm vs. −1.93 ± 5.46 cm) and back scratch (1.02 ± 4.46 * cm vs. −2.43 ± 5.78 cm). The TCP group showed better results than the TC group: 30-s chair stand (27.70 ± 4.98 * rep vs. 23.22 ± 3.08 rep), 30-s arm curl (30.22 ± 4.36 * rep vs. 23.48 ± 3.42 rep), chair sit-and-reach (13.07 ± 4.00 * cm vs. 2.19 ± 4.85 cm) and back scratch (5.48 ± 3.51 * cm vs. 1.02 ± 4.46 cm). Among the different activities analysed, TC showed better results in SFT tests; in particular considering the long-life training of this martial art.

Sex- and age-specific normative values for handgrip strength and components of the Senior Fitness Test in community-dwelling older adults aged 65-75 years in Germany: results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study

BACKGROUND

Physical fitness is a key component of independent living and healthy ageing. For the measurement of physical fitness in older adults, the Senior Fitness Test is a commonly used tool. The objective of this study is to calculate sex- and age-specific normative values for handgrip strength and components of the Senior Fitness Test for older adults (65-75 years) in Germany.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data of 1657 community-dwelling older adults residing in Bremen, Germany (53% female) were included in this study. Physical fitness was assessed using the following measurements of the Senior Fitness Test battery: 30s-chair stand test, 2 min-step test, sit-and-reach test, and back scratch test. In addition, handgrip strength was measured using a Saehan DHD-3 digital hand dynamometer SH1003. Sex- and age specific normative values were calculated for the 1st, 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th, and 99th percentile using the GAMLSS method.

RESULTS

The normative values show differences dependent on sex and age. For handgrip strength, the 30s-chair stand test and the 2 min-step test, normative values were higher for men, while women reached higher values in the sit-and-reach test and the back scratch test. For both, men and women, normative values declined with age.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides sex- and age-specific normative values for handgrip strength and components of the Senior Fitness Test for older adults in Germany. They might be useful for future research and for the application in practice.