ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Introduction: In recent years the interest in the quality of life in old age has been rising, which no doubt is closely linked with the growing population of elderly people. The problems associated with declined functionality of the locomotor system, which naturally occur with age, contribute to increasing morbidity in elderly patients. It is known that lack of exercise can lead to increased aging and disability. Applying the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) allows to explore and assess the patient's mobility. The aim: To evaluate the functioning of the patients hospitalized in the geriatric ward and realize them using the method of the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study involved 60 elderly subjects, including 30 men and 30 women in four age groups: 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94. The research was carried out in the Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at the University Hospital in Krakow. Within the group, the functional mobility of patients was assessed by Senior Fitness Test (SFT), that means that the upper-body and the lower-body strength, the upper-body and the lower-body flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and finally the patient's agility and balance were measured by individual tests. RESULTS: Results: In the study group in the assessment of functional capacity, patients usually have difficulties in getting up from a chair, lifting heavy objects, more bending, dressing, lifting hands, moving. The obtained results of all studies assessed activities are significantly deviateng from the correct results. None of the patients did not perform all tests in accordance with the standards laid down for the ages. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: We conclude that in the study population of hospitalized elderly functional ability presents a very unfavorable.
