Association between physical activity and physical functioning in community-dwelling older adults
Date
2016-10-31
Authors
Hadeel Halaweh
Carin Willén
Ulla Svantesson
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Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the association between the level of physical activity (PA) and physical functioning
among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: A total of 176 older adults were assessed with a PA socio-cultural adapted questionnaire
(PA-SCAQ), the participants were categorized into three PA groups (low, moderate, and high). Physical
functioning was examined by using: Hand Grip Strength (HGS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Short
Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Statistical analyses were performed to determine differences
between the groups according to age, gender, and PA level. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine the association between the PA level and physical functioning values.
Major findings: Older adults who participated in moderate-intensity aerobic PA for 150 min/week
have recorded higher values of physical functioning than older adults who were classified as low physically active (p < 0.001). PA levels were positively correlated with HGS and SPPB and negatively correlated with TUG (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: There were strong associations between higher levels of PA and levels of physical functioning (p < 0.001). Moderate to high levels of PA may contribute to maintaining physical functioning
among community-dwelling older adults.
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Citation
Hadeel Halaweh, Carin Willén & Ulla Svantesson (2017) Association between physical activity and physical functioning in community-dwelling older adults, European Journal of Physiotherapy, 19:1, 40-47, DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2016.1240831