title: Correlates of health-related quality of life in young-old and old-old community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: This study aimed (1) to examine the role of potential correlates of HRQoL in a large representative sample of older adults, and (2) to investigate whether the relationships between HRQoL and potential factors differ as a function of HRQoL component (physical vs. mental) and/or age cohort (young-old vs. old-old).
  
  
  
  This cross-sectional study included 802 older adults aged 60-79 years old. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Physical activity was measured via the Baecke questionnaire. Demographic information, mental and health features were obtained through questionnaires.
  
  
  
  A multiple regression analysis showed that BMI (β = -0.15, p = 0.001), body strength (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), aerobic endurance (β = 0.29, p < 0.001), physical activity (β = 0.11, p = 0.007), depressive symptoms (β = -0.19, p < 0.001), falls (β = -0.19, p < 0.001), and living alone (β = -0.16, p < 0.001) were all significantly related to HRQoL-SF-36 total score. The positive relation with aerobic endurance was significantly higher for the physical component of HRQoL, while the negative relation with living alone was significantly higher for the mental component. The positive relation of HRQoL with physical activity was significantly higher in old-old compared to young-old adults.
  
  
  
  This data suggest that body composition, functional fitness, psycho-social factors, and falls are important correlates of HRQoL in old age. There are HRQoL-component and age-cohort differences regarding these correlates, underlying the need for specific strategies at the community level to promote HRQoL in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal. erubiog@uma.pt.|Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. erubiog@uma.pt.
authors.forename: Élvio R Quintal
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0927-692X
authors.initials: ÉRQ
authors.lastname: Gouveia
authors.affiliation: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Saint Joseph of Cluny Higher School of Nursing, Funchal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Bruna R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Gouveia
authors.affiliation: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Swiss National Center of Competences in Research LIVES-Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, Geneva, Switzerland.|Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ihle
authors.affiliation: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.|Swiss National Center of Competences in Research LIVES-Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, Geneva, Switzerland.|Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kliegel
authors.affiliation: CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.affiliation: Exact Sciences and Engineering Faculty and Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sergi Bermudez
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: I Badia
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9000-390, Funchal, Portugal.|Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
authors.forename: Duarte L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Freitas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Functional fitness; Health; Lifestyle; Old age; Quality of life