[Effects of Physical Fitness Exercise on Functional Fitness in Older Adults With Mild to Moderate Disability]

Taiwan, a super-aged society as of 2025, has a population of older adults that is largely inactive. Active participation in exercise is critical to maintaining and improving functional fitness in persons in this age group.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a physical fitness exercise program on the functional fitness of mild to moderately disabled older adults.

This was a quasi-experimental study with a two-group pre- and post-test design. Sixty older adults from one day care center were recruited and enrolled as participants. The experimental group underwent a 12-week physical-fitness program that included yoga and stretching, while the control group followed the center's routine care regimen.

Significant pre-/post-test improvement over the control group was found for the experimental group in the 30 seconds of chair sitting and standing (β = 1.73, p = .007), 2 minutes of stationary high knees (β = 6.70, p = .031), back reaches and stretching (β = 6.62, p = .005), and sitting pike stretches (β = 5.57, p = .047). In the level 2-4 of long-term care needs, the experimental group showed significant improvements in grip strength (F = 4.34, p = .017) and sitting pike stretches (F = 3.68, p = .031). In addition, within the 65-80 year old subgroup, those in the experimental group also showed significant improvement in 2 minutes of stationary high knee (F = 4.70, p = .018). Within the over 81 year old subgroup, significant improvements were noted in grip strength (F = 7.32, p = .001), 30 seconds of arm curls test (F = 3.58, p = .034), 30 seconds of chair sitting and standing (F = 4.12, p = .021), and sitting pike stretches (F = 5.51, p = .006). No significant differences in functional fitness was observed in the control group across different age groups and long-term care need profiles.

The physical fitness exercise program effectively improved functional fitness in those participants, particularly in the older age group, with mild to moderate disabilities. This exercise program should be incorporated into routine activities provided at day care centers for older adults.