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Medicina dello Sport 2017 March;70(1):126-36
DOI: 10.23736/S0025-7826.17.03098-8
Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
language: English, Italian
Proposal for a physical fitness evaluation test battery of an Italian elderly population
Giovanni MELCHIORRI 1, 2, Giuseppe ANNINO 1, Michele PANZARINO 1, 3, 4, Valerio VIERO 1, Francesca CAMPOLI 3, 4, Mauro LOMBARDO 4, Elvira PADUA 3, 4 ✉
1 Department of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 2 Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Rome, Italy; 3 National Academy of Sports Culture, Rome, Italy; 4 Department of Science and Human Promotion of the Quality of Life, S. Raffaele University, Rome, Italy
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe a physical efficiency assessment test battery in an Italian healthy elderly population and outline the physiological evolution of motor skills in different age groups (range 50-90 years).
METHODS: The study participants were 1583 elderly subjects (70.68±6.13 years), recruited through Social Centers for Elderly in urban areas of Lazio.
RESULTS: Significant differences in the decline of lower limb and abdominal muscles strength, in balance and flexibility with aging of subjects and a marked deterioration in the range 70-79 years.
CONCLUSIONS: The test battery has proven to be a valuable tool to evaluate multiple aspects of physical fitness in the elderly population, due to its simplicity and applicability. The combined use of these tests may be recommended for a better definition of the physical age in subjects between 50 and 90 years.
KEY WORDS: Exercise - Elderly - Physical fitness