Senior Fitness Test - Reference Curves for Polish Women Over 60

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.

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.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* gender - female
* age - over 60
* able to move independently
* health condition allowing to perform the agility tests
* consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* age - under 60
* unable to move around independently
* health condition does not allow you to take part in the fitness tests
* no consent to participate in the study