[The relation between self-perceived health status and the physical fitness in septuagenarians and octogenarians].
The aging process involves an inherent decrease in physiological abilities. The Handgrip Test (HT) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) are used to assess physical fitness in the elderly. The SF-36v2 questionnaire, including the physical component (PC), physical function (PF) and physical performance (PP) are used to assess the self-perceived health status. The scope of this study was to compare the physical fitness and the subject's self-perception of health among septuagenarians and octogenarians and to examine the relationship between the variables. Fifty-seven septuagenarian and 26 octogenarian volunteers were recruited from the Ponte de Lima area, completed the SF-36v2 questionnaire and were tested on the HT and 6MWT. The t-Test and the Pearson coefficient of correlation were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Significant differences were found between septuagenarians and octogenarians in PC (p = 0.025), HT (p < 0.05) and 6MWT (p < 0.001). The muscle strength, in septuagenarians, and cardiorespiratory capacity, in septuagenarians and octogenarians contributes significantly to the self-perception of physical health.
Centro de Estudos em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo. Pç. General Barbosa 4900-347. Viana do Castelo Portugal. pbezerra@esdl.ipvc.pt.
Pedro
P
Bezerra
Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto-Minho. Viana do Castelo Portugal.
Dália
D
Alves
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000072599:Cardiorespiratory Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires