Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between physical fitness and life style, as well as health-status in aged males living in a community.
Method A total of 304 males aged 60 to 89 years volunteered as subjects for this study. Eleven performance-test items were selected from four physical fitness domains of muscle, joint, neuromuscular and lung functions, with consideration given to the safety, reliability, and feasibility of the tests. To assess life style and health-status, a questionnaire consisting of 40 items was constructed. Principal component analysis was applled to the correlation matrix consisting of 11 physical fitness variables. Statistical techniques for Creamer's association coefficient and theory of quantification I were used to examine the relationships between life style, medical condition and fundamental physical fitness (FPF).
Results Cramer's association coefficient was only significant for the variable of quantity consumed at dinner. Multiple correlation coefficient between FPF and age-grade, life style, and health-status were significant (P<0.01). Partial correlation coefficients were high for the variables of aged-grade, sleeping hours, and receiving medical treatment.
Conclusion Fundamental physical fitness showed a decreasing trend with age. It was inferred that acquisltion of adequate sleeping hours and not taking medical treatment for injury of illness might be related to the decline of FPF level with aging in aged males.
