Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2015 , Vol 18, Issue 4
AGE-AND SEX-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS OF THE PHYSICALLY INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS
Yasemin ÇIRAK1, Gül Deniz YILMAZ YELVAR2, Yasemin PARLAK DEMİR3, Murat DALKILINÇ3, Korkmaz MUSTAFA2, Süleyman Murat TAĞIL4
1 Turgut Özal University, Vocational School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, ANKARA
2 Turgut Özal University, Vocational School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy, ANKARA
3 Turgut Özal University, Vocational School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurologic Physical Therapy, ANKARA
4 Turgut Özal University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, ANKARA Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess health-related physical fitness and physical activity levels of young elderly (60–69 years) and old elderly (70–80 years) people and to show the differences with age and gender.

Materials and Method: The level of physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ-short) and each participant completed a battery of healthreleated physical fitness tests adapted from ALPHA-FIT test batteries.

Results: A sample of 143 participants aged between 60 to 80 years, of which 70 were in young elderly group (60-69 years) and 73 were in old elderly group (70-80 years) was recruited. One leg stand, figure of eight walk and shoulder neck mobility showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between young elderly (60–69 years) and old elderly women (70–80 years). But there is no statistically significant difference in the distance of six minute walk test for the cardiorespiratory fitness between young elderly and old elderly women. Hand grip and shoulder neck mobility showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between age groups. In the body composition, no statistically significant difference were observed between two age groups in the waist circumference and BMI regardless of gender. There is no statistically significant difference in the total score of physical activity between young elderly and old elderly men. But a significant difference (p<0.05) between young elderly and old elderly women was found.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that women had much more decreased physical fitness and physical activity level with age. Keywords : Physical Fitness; Physical Activity; Aging; Gender