Functional Physical Fitness and Anthropometric Characteristics of Older Women Living in Different Environments in Southwest Poland

Abstract

EU) countries this index is higher, with values of 10.3 remaining years of life for men, and 10.4 remaining years of life for women (Central Statistical Office, 2016). The population structure in Poland is diverse. In the Dolnośląskie and Opolskie provinces, located in southwest Poland, the population is characterized by a greater percentage of elderly people in post-working age, compared to the population of Poland as a whole. Moreover the Opolskie province is characterized by decreasing population (Central Statistical Office, 2021). Based on this previous research, it seems important to analyze the aging process in terms of factors that can affect the maintenance and duration of functional independence and health in older adults. When analyzing the aging process, attention should be paid to the situation of older women. Women live longer than men, but more often suffer from chronic diseases and disabilities (Central Statistical Office, 2016;Gaigaliene, 2006).An important factor in maintaining independence in older life is functional physical fitness. Functional fitness has been defined as the physiological capacity to perform normal everyday activities safely, independently, and without undue fatigue (Rikli & Jones, 1999). The major components of functional physical fitness are lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body flexibility and mobility, aerobic fitness, and motoric coordination and dynamic balance. These components allow performance of activities required for independent living, such as household chores, walking, climbing steps, and carrying objects (Rikli & Jones, 1999). Deficits in the major components of functional physical fitness are linked to physical disability (Maslow et al., 2011), cognitive decline (Auyeung et al., 2011), and reduced quality of life (Olivares et al., 2011) During the ageing process, a decrease in physical fitness occurs, leading to older adults experiencing difficulties with everyday activities and functioning. Older adults experience decreases in muscular strength and stamina, agility, joint mobility (Milanović et al., 2013), and aerobic capacity. The number of falls in older adults increases as a consequence of reduced muscular strength and decreased balance (São Romão Preto et al., 2015). The decline of physical fitness and performance with age is physiological and inevitable, but it proceeds at different rates in individuals. The level of an individual's physical fitness is influenced by various factors that include physical activity, nutrition, body mass and participation. General life activity and participation in society are very important items. According to International Classification of Impairments, Activities and Participation (ICIAP) the term person's functioning involves functioning on three levels: biological, personal and social (Kabsch, 2001). Participation in social life is therefore also one of the factors that maintain seniors' independence. Whereas systematic physical activity in older adults can slow the rate of decline in physical fitness and p...

The level of actual functional fitness of men from different living environments in Poland and associations with health - a cross-sectional study

“…The weakest attempts in the SWH group were 8-foot up and go and 30-second chair, in which, respectively, 87.3% and 74.6% of the seniors tested did not reach the norms developed for the Polish population [ 40 ]. In another Polish study of the functional fitness of older women from SWH, the weakest tests were 8-foot up and go and 6-minute walk, in which only a few percent of the seniors tested met Polish norms [ 48 ]. The Brazilian study included older women living in the community and receiving day care.…”