Changes in physical function in older females over a 5 year period

Abstract

The quality of physical functions was evaluated prospectively in older females over a 5 year period to identify the physical functions that are more likely to consistently decline or be maintained in females aged 65-74 years and more than 75 years. [Participants and Methods] Physical functions, including grip strength, walking speed, and balance, were measured for older females aged 65-74 years group and more than 75 years group from 2015 to 2019. T-scores of the physical performances were calculated to analyze the changes in the physical functions over 5 years. [Results] Based on the T-scores, physical functions in terms of the 5-m walking speed, timed up-and-go test, and functional reach test, improved from 2015 to 2019 in the 65-74 group, whereas all physical functions consistently deteriorated in the older than 75 group. [Conclusion] There was no significant decline of the physical functions in both groups; however, the T-score variations for physical functions during the 5 year observation period differed in each group.