title: [Measurement of functional capacity and health related quality of life in an elderly group following a walking program: pilot study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This pre-experimental study analyses the Functional Capacity (FC), Body Mass Index (BMI), Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Health Capital Stock (HCS) of elderly people participating in a Walking program in Granollers (Barcelona).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventy-three participants were invited to participate. One hundred and one of them were users of the Municipal Program for Elderly People, and 72 received information by the communication media. One hundred and thirty-one (76.3%) of the participants completed the Program. The intervention consisted of a 6-month program, supervised by a specialist instructor once a week and controlled daily by a pedometer. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was analysed for the FC, and the EuroQoL for the HRQoL. The preferences derived from the EuroQoL scores and the Life Expectancy were used to calculate the FC. The monetary data were obtained using a fixed value.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increase in the average number of steps was observed after the program, especially in men. The results also showed a decrease in the BMI. The participants showed a improvement in overall health perception at the end of the program. The HCS scores confirmed the improvement in the HRQoL in men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Program was positive for increasing the number of steps and improving physical condition and health. The usefulness of the pedometer as a motivational tool of physical exercise is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Esport 3, Barcelona, España. jesusfg@blanquerna.url.edu
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fortuño Godes
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romea Viñets
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guerra Balic
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sainz Pardo
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Queralt Zueras
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking