european college of sport science

Friday, June 26th, 2009
Conclusions: More longitudinal studies using objective measures in combination with self-report methods are needed to better understand
PA levels and patterns in young and older adults, in order to better prescribe intervention programs in these populations. Also, is
advisable to consider more than one cutoff point for adults and older adults, in order to account for the decline in exercise capacity with
age, and also to standardize them.
References:
Davis, M., & Fox, K. (2006). Physical activity patterns assessed by accelerometry in older people. European Journal of Applied Physiology,
DOI 10.1007/s00421-006-0320-8.
Dinger, M., & Behrens, T. (2006). Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity of Free-Living College Students. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 38(4),
774-779.
Hagströmer, M., Oja, P., & Sjöström, M. (2007). Physical Activity and Inactivity in an Adult Population Assessed by Accelerometry. Med. Sci.
Sports Exerc., 39(9), 1502-1508.
Metzeger, J., Catellier, D., Eveson, K., Treuth, M., Rosamond, W., & Siega-Riz, A. M. (2008). Patterns of Objectively Measured Physical
Activity in the United States. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 40(4), 630-638
Troiano, R., Berrigan, D., Dodd, K. W., Mâsse, L., Tilert, T., & McDowell, M. (2007). Physical Activity in the United States Measeured by
Accelerometer. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 40(1), 181-188.
USING THE TIMED UP-AND-GO TEST TO HEALTHY OLDER PERSONS
SAKAI, T., ISHIHARA, K.
DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
Introduction: The Timed Up-and-Go test was recommended for older persons with a high risk of falls 1). On the other hand, there were a
few reports about the Timed Up-and-Go test for healthy older persons. If the Timed Up-and-Go test would be applied to healthy older
persons, then it was possible to evaluate age-related decline in physical fitness. The purpose of this study was determined to whether the
Timed Up-and-Go test was applied to healthy older persons.
Methods: The subjects were 42 young persons (young group, 20 male and 22 female, 19.3 ± 0.82 yr) and 34 healthy old persons who
were frequently participated exercise classes or/and community meetings (old group, 15 male and 19 female, 65.2 ± 6.75 yr). All subjects
were measured the Timed Up-and-Go test twice and the better score of two trials was recorded using a stopwatch (seconds). Additionally,
it was videotaped while performing the Timed Up-and-Go test and five components of the Timed Up-and-Go test, standing up from
a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, walking back to chair, and sitting down, were elevated their scores.
Results: The test scores were significantly differences between young and old groups (4.99 ± 0.51 sec vs. 5.35 ± 0.53 sec, P < 0.05). The
stopwatch-measured scores were significantly faster than the videotape-measured score in both groups (young group: 4.99 ± 0.51 sec
vs. 5.53 ± 0.53 sec, old group: 5.35 ± 0.53 sec vs. 5.70 ± 0.55 sec, P < 0.05, respectively). With respect to each component, the test
scores of standing up from a chair, walking 3 m, turning around, and walking back to chair were significantly differences between two
groups (standing up from a chair; 0.72 ± 0.12 sec vs. 0.84 ± 0.13 sec, walking 3 m; 1.08 ± 0.18 sec vs. 1.25 ± 0.19 sec, turning around;
0.80 ± 0.12 sec vs. 0.91 ± 0.14 sec, walking back to chair; 1.66 ± 0.21 sec vs. 1.86 ± 0.21 sec, P < 0.05, respectively). However, surprisingly,
no significant differences existed for sitting down (0.82 ± 0.18 sec vs. 0.85 ± 0.14 sec, P < 0.55). As a result, we were suggested that the
movement of sitting down was easier and simpler than the movements of other components.
Conclusion
We concluded that the Timed Up-and-Go test would be applied widely to not only frail older persons with a risk of falls but also healthy
older persons and it would be possible to evaluate age-related decline in physical fitness.
Reference
1) American Geriatrics Society, British Geriatrics Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Panel on Falls Prevention. Guideline
for the prevention of falls in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 2001; 49: 664–72.
FUNCTIONAL FITNESS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITIONAL INTAKE IN AZOREAN OLDER ADULTS
MARQUES, E., SANTOS, R., MOREIRA, P., CARVALHO, J., MOTA, J.
1. FACULTY OF SPORT, UNIVERSITY OF PORTO, 2. FACULTY OF NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCES
Introduction: Considering that Portugal is one of the ten most aged countries of Europe, the maintenance of functional independence is a
major public health goal. Physical performance tests can provide valuable information to establish a diagnosis and to plan the related
preventive or counteractive strategies.
Methods: A total of 271 community-dwelling older adults (190 women and 81 men) aged between 65 and 90 years who participated in
the Azorean Physical Health Study II. The Functional Fitness Test battery was performed to assess the physical parameters associated
with independent functioning in older adults. Dietary intake was assessed with self-administered semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire,
previously validated for Portuguese population [1]. Daily physical activity (PA) was assessed with the Modified Baecke Questionnaire
for Older Adults and with a pedometer during 7 days.
Results: The prevalence of overweight in the whole sample was 94.6%. Sixty-one percent reported no leisure physical activity and only
9.9% reported being engaged in sports. A total of 8.1(±9.3) min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA was achieved. Older women had lower
performance (below the norm) than older men in the 6-min walk test, chair stand 30s, up and go and arm curl tests (p