ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL FITNESS AMONG INDEPENDENT- OLDER ADULTS: A PRELIMINARY REPORT '. '

The goal of the present study was to develop a field test for assessing various components of daily activities among independent older adults. The test has 8 subtests of Coordination, Balance, Arms Strength, Upper Extremities Flexibility, Lower Extremities Flexibility, Agility, Legs Strength, and Walking Ability. Subjects were 252 volunteers whose mean age was 72.4 (±6.3) yr. A self-report daily functioning scale and a global health scale were also administered to a group. Analysis indicated test-retest reliability of approximately .8, and factor analysis yielded three factors interpretable and meaningful as domains of motor function, i.e., neuromuscular function, strength, and flexibility. Correlations of scores on the test with scores on the two self-rated scales of daily functioning and health, while controlling for age, were significant, suggesting the test measures skills that represent the main activities of daily functioning.