| Author: | Fung, Chun-wai Lawrence |
| Title: | Evaluation of physical fitness and its association with geriatric syndromes in community-living elderly |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Subject: | Physical fitness for older people -- China -- Hong Kong Older people -- Health and hygiene -- China -- Hong Kong Urinary incontinence in old age -- China -- Hong Kong Falls (Accidents) in old age -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Nursing and Health Sciences |
| Pages: | ix, 105 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | This study serves firstly to evaluate the level of physical fitness of healthy elderly living in the community, and secondly to examine the relationship between physical fitness and the two common types of geriatric syndromes including fall and urinary incontinence. The study employed a cross-sectional observational design. A total of 68 subjects with a mean age of 69.4 +- 6.7 years participated in the study, all of them were healthy elderly living in the community and were recruited from the enrollees of a community health screening program. Eligible subjects were invited to attend an interview to obtain baseline information on demographics, general health status and the occurrence of fall and incontinence. They were then subjected to a series of fitness testing covering a total of 18 parameters under the 5 fitness domain of cardiorespiratory, body composition, muscle strength, flexibility and motor function. Differences in fitness measures between gender, age and outcome groups were evaluated by the ANOVA models. Factor analysis was used to investigate the structure and relationship of fitness domain, while logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between fitness measures and geriatric syndromes. Canonical correlation was used to identify common shared risk factors for fall and incontinence. Results revealed significant cross-sectional age-related declines in 7 parameters mainly representing the fitness domains of cardiorespiratory and muscle strength. The structural relationship of fitness domain was verified by factor analysis, and information from all fitness measures were combined to a single index of physical fitness capable of explaining 79% of total variance. Factor-analytically derived domains of body composition and respiratory function were found to share common relationships with fall and incontinence although with different relative strength. In conclusion, physical fitness was found to be a good indicator of physical performance and functional status of healthy elderly living in the community, whose physical functions could not otherwise be picked up by the common clinically-used functional assessment instruments. Etiologic models of fitness measures were developed to identify common shared relationships with geriatric syndromes, which would enhance the geriatric assessment and community care of elderly. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b14422864.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.28 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/2120