Asociación predictiva entre parámetros de condición física y dimensiones de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adultos mayores chilenos insertos en la comunidad / Association between physical fitness parameters and health related quality of life in Chilean community-dwelling older adults

Background: There is no conclusive evidence about the association between physical fitness (PF) and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults. Aim: To seek for an association between PF and HRQOL in non-disabled community-dwelling Chilean older adults. Material and Methods: One hundred and sixteen subjects participated in the study. PF was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) and hand grip strength (HGS). HRQOL was assessed using eight dimensions provided by the SF-12v2 questionnaire. Binary multivariate logistic regression models were carried out considering the potential influence of confounder variables. Results: Non-adjusted models, indicated that subjects with better performance in arm curl test (ACT) were more likely to score higher on vitality dimension (OR > 1) and those with higher HGS were more likely to score higher on physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality and mental health (OR > 1). The adjusted models consistently showed that ACT and HGS predicted a favorable perception of vitality and mental health dimensions respectively (OR > 1). Conclusions: HGS and ACT have a predictive value for certain dimensions of HRQOL.

Fuerza prensil de mano y su asociación con la edad, género y dominancia de extremidad superior en adultos mayores autovalentes insertos en la comunidad: Un estudio exploratorio / Association of grip strength with gender age and handedness in 116 older people

Background: Hand grip strength could be influenced by gender, age and handedness. Aim: To describe differences in grip strength for age, gender and upper extremity handedness in non-disabled community-dwelling older adults. Material and Methods: We studied 47 males aged 72.3 ± 5.6 years and 69 females 72.4 ± 6.0 years who were divided in two age groups (65-70 and ≥ 71 years old). Grip strength was determined by a standardized protocol using a hand dynamometer. Results: There was an inverse correlation between grip strength and age in both hands only among men (p ≤ 0.05). When analyzing both genders, there was a significant inverse correlation between grip strength and age only in the dominant hand (p ≤ 0.05). Strength was higher in the dominant hand in both genders (p ≤ 0.05). It was also higher in men, compared to women in the two age groups studied (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Grip strength is higher in men than women, it decreases with age and is higher in the dominant hand.