Functional fitness: maintaining or improving function for elders with chronic diseases

This study's objective was to prove or disprove four hypotheses, three addressing physical function and a subjective measure of self-perceived well-being from participating in an elder functional fitness program.

Participants included 17 chronically ill residents from an assisted-living center in Maine. Measures on mobility, metabolic equivalent estimation (MET) levels, resting heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, muscular strength, flexibility, and body weight were conducted at three intervals-baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. SAS software was used for analysis of means and paired t test.

Increases in or maintenance of function proved significant. The subjective hypothesis also proved significant.

Research on elder exercise focuses on one or two components, rather than the benefits of a thorough fitness program. This study illustrated improvements in physical function and well-being from participating in a comprehensive elder fitness program.