title: [Institutionalized elderly: functional capacity and physical fitness].
abstract: This study analyzed the relationship between physical fitness and functional capacity in 78 residents of long-stay institutions for low-income elderly located in five regions of Brazil. The majority of the sample consisted of women, and mean age was 77.4 years (SD = 7.9). Physical fitness was assessed with the AAHPERD test, adjusted for institutionalized elderly. The Katz scale was used for functional capacity. The five components of physical fitness rated fair for flexibility, coordination, agility, and aerobic endurance and good for strength. The mean general physical fitness (GPF) index was fair. According to the findings, the greater the degree of dependency in institutionalized elderly, the lesser their strength and GPF level; meanwhile, better coordination and agility are associated with greater independence for performing activities of daily living. The results can contribute to appropriate physical exercise programs for maintenance and/or recovery of functionality.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors.forename: Lúcia Hisako Takase
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Aline Huber da
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Giovana Zarpsellon
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Mazo
authors.forename: Tânia R Bertoldo
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Silvia Maria Azevedo
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Sueli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Rosalina A Partezani
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Marilene Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Portella
authors.forename: Helenice de Moura
authors.initials: Hde M
authors.lastname: Scortegagna
authors.forename: Silvana Sidney C
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Marlene Teda
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pelzer
authors.forename: Andrea dos Santos
authors.initials: Ados S
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Edmeia Campos
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Meira
authors.forename: Edite Lago da Silva
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sena
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Creutzberg
authors.forename: Thais de Lima
authors.initials: Tde L
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: Tais de Lima
authors.initials: Tde L
authors.lastname: Rezende
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric