Correlates of functional fitness in older adults.
BACKGROUND
Self-efficacy has been shown to be both an antecedent and determinant of behaviors such as physical activity and may explain variance in the performance of functional tasks among older adults.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the current study were: first, to identify potential latent factors of functional fitness (i.e., the ability to perform activities of daily living) among older adults; and second, to determine the extent to which self-efficacy contributed to the variance in functional fitness over and above other known correlates.


METHODS
Older adults (n = 190, M age = 69.4 years) completed a functional fitness test battery, maximal graded exercise test, and demographics and self-efficacy questionnaires.


RESULTS
Structural equation modeling supported two latent factors of functional fitness representing "Flexibility" and "Physical Power." Further analyses indicated sex as the sole significant correlate of Flexibility. Greater Physical Power was associated with being male, younger, and having higher self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the role of self-efficacy as a correlate of performance on functional tasks. Targeting flexibility and physical power to improve functional fitness among older men and women, respectively, warrants examination.
Konopack
James F
JF
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Marquez
David X
DX
Hu
Liang
L
Elavsky
Steriani
S
McAuley
Edward
E
Kramer
Arthur F
AF
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors