[Purpose] The aim of this study was to verify the decline in functionality of elderly
people. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects comprised 152 individuals (96 women; 56
men) divided into 3 groups: G1 (60 to 69 years, n=53); G2 (70 to 79 years, n=65); and G3
(80 years or older, n=34). Physical performance, balance, mobility, and muscle strength
were assessed using Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BERG),
Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and leg press test, respectively. Comparison among
age-stratified groups (G1, G2 and G3) and between genders were examined using analysis of
variance with Tukey’s test as a post hoc test or the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni
correction. [Results] SPPB and BERG scores decreased significantly in comparison between
G1 and G3, and between G2 and G3 in women. TUG and leg press scores decreased
significantly in comparison between G1 and G3 and between G2 and G3. [Conclusion] People
in their 60s and 70s have similar functional characteristics (physical performance,
balance, mobility and muscle strength for both genders), and functionality starts to
decline when people are in their 80s.
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