[Development of a method for estimation of physical fitness age for the evaluation of physical performance levels].
The aims of this study are to develop a method for estimation of physical fitness age for the evaluation of physical performance levels and to examine the efficacy and adaptability of the method. Physical fitness data collected on 15,845 subjects from 23 health promotion centers in Japan, during a 2-year period, 1985-1986, were analysed by correlation analysis to find factors which affect physical performance. From this analysis, stature and exercise habit were selected as factors to be considered in the computation of physical fitness age. For determination of physical fitness and its relation to chronological age, four tests, side step, sit-ups, vertical jump and wing lift were selected from results of correlation and multiple regression analysis and an estimation equation for physical fitness age was developed by stepwise multiple regression analysis, in which the subjective variable is physical fitness data and objective variables are chronological age and height, on 9,528 people without habitual physical activities. Physical fitness age for each fitness test was calculated from the equation and mean individual physical fitness age computed. The suitability of the developed method was tested on other groups with results showing that the developed method was generally applicable to the other group and was exact enough to evaluate the characteristics of the physical level of the group. Analysis of the relation between health indices and physical fitness age obtained by this new method, revealed that the group in which physical fitness age is inferior to chronological age contained relatively more hypertensive patients and obese people.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness