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BMC Geriatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Association of physical fitness with quality of life in community-dwelling older adults aged 80 and over in Poland: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Ewelina Lepsy, Ewa Radwańska, Grzegorz Żurek, Alina Żurek, Antonina Kaczorowska, Alina Radajewska, Anna Kołcz

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Aging is a progressive and irreversible process that negatively affects the quality of life (QOL). Older adults face difficulties related to worsening health, lowering the level of physical and mental efficiency. We aimed to analyze the associations between physical fitness and QOL in Polish older adults considering sex differences.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed from March to August 2015. The sample consisted of 100 community-dwelling adults (67 women, 33 men) with a mean age of 82.94 ± 2.67 years. The World Health Organization QOL, Short Form questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) were used. Biometric data, social and environmental situation, nutritional and lifestyle behaviors have been also collected using a questionnaire designed by the authors.

Results

The results obtained in individual domains of WHOWOL-BREF indicate a good level of QOL in all the examined domains. Statistically significant sex differences were obtained in physical (p = 0.01), psychological (p = 0.04) and environmental (p = 0.02) domains in WHOQOL-BREF. It was noted that men perform better in terms of the upper (arm curl, p < 0.001) and lower body strength (chair stand, p = 0.01), aerobic endurance (two-minute step test, p < 0.001), agility and dynamic balance (up and go test, p < 0.001) in FFFT.

Conclusions

Community-dwelling older adults aged 80–93 years in Poland present a good level of QOL, and the higher score was obtained in men. Also, men presented better physical fitness, showed a higher level of independence in daily activities, and assessed better their own QOL than women.

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Title: Association of physical fitness with quality of life in community-dwelling older adults aged 80 and over in Poland: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ewelina Lepsy
Ewa Radwańska
Grzegorz Żurek
Alina Żurek
Antonina Kaczorowska
Alina Radajewska
Anna Kołcz
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02421-5

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