Senior Fitness Test - Reference Curves for Polish Women Over 60
Condition: Aging; Physical Fitness
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The aging of society is a natural process, but it entails challenges in social, economic and
      health aspects. It is important for mature people to maintain, for as long as possible,
      adequate functional capacity to live independently and autonomously. Presentation of
      reference values of functional abilities in continuous perspective (and not in 5-year periods
      as it is in standards for SFT) is a better approach. This approach reflects the process of
      change that occurs in functional ability. The aim of the study was to develop centile
      distributions of fitness tests constituting the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) for women over 60
      years of age in Poland, moving independently.
    

Detailed description: 
      The aging of society is a natural process, but it entails challenges in social, economic and
      health aspects. It is important for mature people to maintain, for as long as possible, an
      adequate functional capacity to live independently and autonomously. In order to determine
      the level of functional fitness, fitness tests are used. Such tests include the Senior
      Fitness Test (another name: Fullerton Functional Fitness Test)- tests described below; One
      Leg Standing Test - test that assesses static balance to diagnose symptoms of mobility
      disability; Stops Walking When Talking - assesses risk of falling and ability to perform two
      activities simultaneously (talking and walking), Berg Balance Scale - assesses ability to
      maintain balance while performing specific tasks, does not assess gait; Four Square Step Test
      (FSST) - assesses dynamic balance and coordination; Functional Reach Test (FRT) - oceans of
      dynamic balance; Tinetti Test - oceans of balance during simple tasks and oceans of gait;
      Short Physical Performance Battery - oceans of balance functioning and lower limb performance
      in people over 60. age. On the basis of these fitness tests the level of a selected aspect of
      functional ability is assessed, converting the results into points. Among the indicated tools
      the Senior Fitness Test seems to be the most universal, as it is a comprehensive and useful
      tool for multidimensional assessment of physical fitness of people over 60. It allows
      observation of the gradual decline in functional ability with age. Additionally, the simple
      tests and norms for the fitness tests in the Senior Fitness Test are defined for people aged
      60-94. Publicly available norms were developed for the American population.

      The development of reference values for the fitness tests that make up the Senior Fitness
      Test reflects the process that is taking place in the functional fitness area of people over
      60 years of age. Additionally it is possible to observe changes on a continuous basis rather
      than in 5-year periods. It also allows to catch the moment when functional fitness
      deterioration occurs.

      The main objective was to develop centile grids for fitness tests assessing upper and lower
      limb muscle strength, flexibility, dynamic balance and endurance, which comprise the Senior
      Fitness Test for women over 60.

      The Senior Fitness Test is a tool used to determine the functional fitness level of people
      over 60 years of age. In order to determine physical fitness levels, Senior Fitness Test was
      carried out. The test is comprised of 6 individual test items and for a description of the
      trials, please refer to Różańska-Kirschke et al. All fitness tests (1-6) were selected for
      analysis:

        1. Arm Curl (AC) - measurement of upper body muscle endurance.

        2. 30-second Chair Stand (30SCS) - measurement of lower body strength.

        3. Back Scratch Test (BST) - measurement of upper-body flexibility.

        4. Chair Sit and Reach Test (CSRT) - measurement of lower-body flexibility (specifically
           hamstring flexibility)

        5. 8-Foot Up and Go (TUG) - measurement of agility (dynamic balance) and aerobic endurance.

        6. 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) - measurement of (aerobic) endurance.
    

Intervention name(s): Senior Fitness Test
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): Senior Fitness Test is comprised of 6 individual test items and for a description of the trials. All fitness tests (1-6) were selected for analysis:
Arm Curl (AC) - measurement of upper body muscle endurance - numbers of arm curls as possible in 30 seconds (n)
30-second Chair Stand (30SCS) - measurement of lower body strength; numbers of chair stand as possible in 30 seconds (n)
Back Scratch Test (BST) - measurement of upper-body flexibility; the best score to the nearest centimeter (cm)
Chair Sit and Reach Test (CSRT)- measurement of lower-body flexibility (specifically hamstring flexibility); the best score to the nearest centimeter (cm)
8-Foot Up and Go (TUG) - measurement of agility (dynamic balance) and aerobic endurance; the best time of the two trails to the nearest 1/10th second (s)
2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) - measurement of (aerobic) endurance; the total number of times the right knee reaches the tape level in two minutes (n)
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The study group consisted of all individuals who will to participate in the study and meet
        the specified inclusion conditions.
      
Keywords: aged; physical fitness