Abstract
To estimate the cardiopulmonary endurance and muscular power required for performing independently daily physical activities in elderly women (n=7, mean age: 67.8±4.8 years old), we measured the oxygen uptake and acceleration simultaneously and continuously during the 13 activities of daily living. In addition, the lactate threshold and maximal voluntary power used for going up stairs were measured for each subject, and the strength required for the bodily movements in each of the 13 variations was calculated using the appropriate indicators. Accordingly, the actual measurements of oxygen uptake during these activities of daily living ranged from 3.9±0.6ml/min/kg to 17.2±3.1ml/min/kg, equivalent to between 22.9±3.9% and 100.7±19.3% of the lactate threshold. The mean power used for each bodily movement involved in the activities of daily living was estimated using the measured acceleration and it ranged from 0watt/kg to 3.3±0.6watt/kg, in which the strength required for bodily movements ranged from 0% to 54.3±14.9% of the maximum voluntary power that was required for going up stairs. Aside from their usefulness for evaluating the activities of daily living (ADL) of the elderly, these findings are also expected to be helpful in developing programs for promoting the independence of the elderly.
