title: A comparison of functional fitness of older Brazilian and American women.
abstract: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to generate a functional-fitness profile for older women from the south of Brazil and to compare their functional profile with an age-matched cohort of American women. The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (body-mass index, 6-min-walk test, chair sit-and-reach, chair stand, arm curl, and 8-ft up-and-go) was administered to 1,033 participants. Z scores indicate that older American women performed better in all functional tests than age-matched Brazilians. This fact could be explained by the delayed establishment of specific health policies for older adults in Brazil. In conclusion, the findings provide guidelines about the normal variation of functional fitness in older women from the southern region of Brazil. In addition, these data can be used to help identify older women with functional losses, thereby assisting in the diagnosis of early disability.
authors: Center for Exercise and Health-Fitness Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
authors: Maressa P
authors: MP
authors: Krause
authors: Renata S B
authors: RS
authors: Januário
authors: Tatiane
authors: T
authors: Hallage
authors: Luke
authors: L
authors: Haile
authors: Cristiane P
authors: CP
authors: Miculis
authors: Mirnaluci P R
authors: MP
authors: Gama
authors: Fredric L
authors: FL
authors: Goss
authors: Sergio G
authors: SG
authors: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States