Physical and Motor Fitness Tests for Older Adults Living in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review

Fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and functional fitness among older adults in urban Alaska

Older adults often face barriers to obtaining recommended diet, physical activity, and fitness levels. Understanding these patterns can inform effective interventions targeting health beliefs and behavior. This cross-sectional study included a multicultural sample of 58 older adults (aged 55+ years, M=71.98) living in independent senior housing in urban Southcentral Alaska. Participants completed a questionnaire and the Senior Fitness Test that assessed self-reported fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, self-efficacy, and functional fitness. T-tests and bivariate correlation analyses were used to test six hypotheses. Results indicated that participants had low physical activity but had a mean fruit and vegetable intake that was statistically significantly higher than the hypothesized "low" score. Only 4.26% of participants met functional fitness standards for balance/agility, and 8.51% met standards for lower-body strength. However, 51.1% met standards for upper-body strength and 46.8% met standards for endurance The results also indicated that nutrition self-efficacy and exercise self-efficacy were positively related to fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity levels, respectively. Interestingly, income was not related to nutrition or activity patterns. These data complicate the picture on dietary and physical activity patterns for older adults in Alaska and offer recommendations for future health promotion activities.

Effect of a 12-Week Strength Training Program on Muscle Strength Measures of Institutionalized Older Adults-A Pilot Study

Institutionalized older adults are characterized by high levels of dependence and low levels of physical activity compared to those living in the community. This combination of factors leads to an increased risk of loss of muscle mass. Sarcopenia can be countered through strength training. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a strength training program on the physical fitness of institutionalized older adults. This study included a sample of 31 institutionalized older adults (20 females, 11 males) aged between 65 and 96 years (M = 81.64, SD = 8.67). Participants reported an average institutionalization duration of 2.43 years (SD = 2.20), ranging from half a year to ten years. A 12-week strength training program was implemented, with sessions held twice a week. Strength fitness was assessed through the following parameters: handgrip strength, upper limb muscular endurance, lower limb muscular endurance, agility and balance, body mass index, and waist circumference. The results demonstrated that a 12-week strength training program improved physical fitness in terms of lower limb muscular endurance, upper limb muscular endurance, agility, and dynamic balance (p < 0.05).

Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in Persons with Dementia and their Caregiver

A cross-sectional design investigated the physical attributes of 15 dyads of people with dementia and their caregivers. Physical and cognitive markers determined deviations from clinical thresholds for loss of functional independence, where 100% of participants performed below criterion-referenced threshold values for aerobic endurance. Walking distance for people with dementia was associated with bath/shower activity (p = .007), transfers (p < .001), and mobility (p = .013). Less distance walked was associated with more assistance with self-care tasks. Physical deficits associated with low aerobic endurance and lower body strength compromised independence, placing dyads at risk for falls and mobility-related health issues.

Predictive Ability of the 2-Minute Step Test for Functional Fitness in Older Individuals with Hypertension

BACKGROUND

The 2-minute step test (2MST) is a simple and inexpensive functional test that measures an individual's ability to perform continuous stepping up and down on a step platform for two minutes. This study evaluated the 2MST as a tool for assessing functional fitness in older individuals with hypertension and determined the correlation between the 2MST and physical fitness tests.

METHODS

A total of 91 older individuals with hypertension performed physical fitness tests, including the 2MST, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), grip strength and leg strength assessments, and timed up and go test (TUG) to collectively assess their physical fitness.

RESULTS

A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST had 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity in predicting functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension. Additionally, the number of steps in the 2MST was positively correlated with the distance covered in the 6MWT, isometric grip strength, and isometric leg strength and negatively correlated with the duration of the FTSST and TUG.

CONCLUSIONS

A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST predicted functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension with 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity and was correlated with other physical fitness tests, suggesting that the 2MST is a useful tool for assessing functional exercise performance.