Association of physical fitness and ageing among older Chinese people

Background: Physical function is related to mortality and morbidity of older persons. Assessment of physical fitness helps to identify early physical ageing. This study investigated the physical fitness levels of older Hong Kong adults and the ageing effect on health. Methods: 90 men and 285 women aged 43 to 95 (mean, 68) years were assessed. Their body height, body weight, flexibility (sit and reach), single leg stance time, reaction time, hand grip strength, lung capacity, and exercise capacity (step test) were measured. Self-reported demographics and exercise patterns were analysed in terms of age using the Chi squared test. Sex- and age-group differences were tested for significance. Results: All age groups were overweight, except for women older than 84 years. All test values declined with age, except for body mass index. The physical fitness level of men was better than that of women in the same age category. For men, a significant decrease in hand grip strength occurred around the age of 65 years (p<0.05), whereas reaction time and flexibility decreased at around the ages of 55 and 75 years, respectively (p<0.05 for both). For women, a significant decrease in balance and flexibility occurred around the age of 55 years (p<0.05), whereas reaction time (p<0.001) and lung capacity (p<0.05) decreased around the age of 65 years and hand grip strength (p<0.05) decreased around the age of 75 years. Conclusion: Women age earlier than men and in more functional aspects. Significant decreases in physical fitness start at the age of 55 years and decline quickly, suggesting a risk to quality of life. Physical fitness assessment should be performed regularly for early intervention. Copyright © 2012 Hong Kong Geriatrics Society and Hong Kong Association of Gerontology.