Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan
Background: The purposes of the study were to test the factor structure of the models of functional fitness for older adults, in which the latent factor flexibility represents scores in chair sit-and-reach and back scratch, and the latent factor Physical Power represents scores in chair stand, arm c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM)
2013-09-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Gerontology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1873959812001500 |
| _version_ | 1811256590123139072 |
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| author | Li-An Ho Huey-June Wu Tracey D. Matthews Jasson Chiang Ying-Ju Lin |
| author_facet | Li-An Ho Huey-June Wu Tracey D. Matthews Jasson Chiang Ying-Ju Lin |
| author_sort | Li-An Ho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The purposes of the study were to test the factor structure of the models of functional fitness for older adults, in which the latent factor flexibility represents scores in chair sit-and-reach and back scratch, and the latent factor Physical Power represents scores in chair stand, arm curl, 8-foot up-and-go, and 2-minute step. Correlates of the latent factors including age, sex, and physical activity level were also investigated.
Methods: Functional fitness tests were administered to 94 older adults (age: 73.61 ± 5.77 years). Demographic data were collected and physical activity level was measured by using the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE). The structural equation modeling technique was used to investigate the factor structure of flexibility model and physical power model as well as the contribution of the correlates.
Results: The goodness-of-fit indices were excellent for the flexibility model (χ²-square = 4.725, df = 5, p = 0.451, comparative fit index [CFI] = 1.00, Root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.001, standardized root mean square of residuals [SRMR] = 0.0646) and physical power model (χ²-square = 17.962, df = 14, p = 0.209, CFI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.055, SRMR = 0.0651). Age and sex were significant predictors to flexibility and physical power (p < 0.05). Physical activity level was a significant predictor of flexibility (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Flexibility and physical power decline with advanced age. Males have higher physical power, and females have better flexibility. A higher level of physical activity, as measured by PASE, relates to better flexibility but not physical power. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:43:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ae58c059b7ff45169faf4f24fd804249 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1873-9598 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:43:42Z |
| publishDate | 2013-09-01 |
| publisher | Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Gerontology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ae58c059b7ff45169faf4f24fd8042492022-12-22T03:22:44ZengTaiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM)International Journal of Gerontology1873-95982013-09-017315816110.1016/j.ijge.2012.11.009Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in TaiwanLi-An Ho0Huey-June Wu1Tracey D. Matthews2Jasson Chiang3Ying-Ju Lin4Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROCGraduate Institute of Sports Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROCDepartment of Exercise Science and Sport Study, Springfield College, Springfield, MA, USAGraduate Institute of Sports Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROCGraduate Institute of Sports Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROCBackground: The purposes of the study were to test the factor structure of the models of functional fitness for older adults, in which the latent factor flexibility represents scores in chair sit-and-reach and back scratch, and the latent factor Physical Power represents scores in chair stand, arm curl, 8-foot up-and-go, and 2-minute step. Correlates of the latent factors including age, sex, and physical activity level were also investigated. Methods: Functional fitness tests were administered to 94 older adults (age: 73.61 ± 5.77 years). Demographic data were collected and physical activity level was measured by using the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE). The structural equation modeling technique was used to investigate the factor structure of flexibility model and physical power model as well as the contribution of the correlates. Results: The goodness-of-fit indices were excellent for the flexibility model (χ²-square = 4.725, df = 5, p = 0.451, comparative fit index [CFI] = 1.00, Root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.001, standardized root mean square of residuals [SRMR] = 0.0646) and physical power model (χ²-square = 17.962, df = 14, p = 0.209, CFI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.055, SRMR = 0.0651). Age and sex were significant predictors to flexibility and physical power (p < 0.05). Physical activity level was a significant predictor of flexibility (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Flexibility and physical power decline with advanced age. Males have higher physical power, and females have better flexibility. A higher level of physical activity, as measured by PASE, relates to better flexibility but not physical power.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1873959812001500flexibilitylatent factorphysical powerstructural equation modeling |
| spellingShingle | Li-An Ho Huey-June Wu Tracey D. Matthews Jasson Chiang Ying-Ju Lin Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan International Journal of Gerontology flexibility latent factor physical power structural equation modeling |
| title | Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan |
| title_full | Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan |
| title_fullStr | Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan |
| title_short | Factor Structure and Correlates of Functional Fitness of Older Adults in Taiwan |
| title_sort | factor structure and correlates of functional fitness of older adults in taiwan |
| topic | flexibility latent factor physical power structural equation modeling |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1873959812001500 |
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