Abstract
Purpose The relationship of activities of daily living (ADL) with daily habits and age was investigated with a focus on the results of measurements of the normal speed (ordinary level: OL) and maximum speed (maximum capacity: MC) in performing items on a functional fitness test. The significance of the measurement of the ordinary level was also discussed.
Methods The subjects were 69 women, aged 60-90 years old, who participated in a health workshop for the elderly sponsored by a local municipality and who performed at least 4 items on a functional fitness test.
Public health nurses asked subjects about habitual life style, subjective health status and degree of satisfaction in daily life. The ADL level was measured using the tests of functional fitness developed by Oida et al and partially revised by ourselves and physical fitness tests (grip strength, sit and reach, and balancing on one leg with opened eyes). OL was measured as the time needed to perform functional fitness items at normal speed, and MC as the time needed when performing these tasks as quickly as possible.
Results All functional fitness items were accomplished significantly faster with MC than OL. Correlation coefficient values between OL and MC were high significant. Age was found to be significantly related to the hand working test (Hand-T) to evaluate dexterity and the rope working test (Rope-T) to evaluate self-care, except with the MC. An analysis of covariance with age as the covariant revealed that, with OL, there were relationships between Hand-T and Rope-T and the item “active at home,” and between the zigzag walking (Zigzag-T) and Rope-T and “walking or riding a bicycle to go shopping.” With MC, there were relationships between Hand-T and “active at home,” and between Zigzag-T and “walking of riding a bicycle to go shopping.” Regarding physical capacity, relationships were seen between both hands and “high level of physical fitness” and “walking fast” and grip strength (Left hand), respectively.
Conclusion The ADL items measured in the preset study were related to the daily activities of elderly people. As the OL and MC results demonstrated a high correlation and the ADL items related with OL were found to have almost the same link with MC, we conclude that OL is suitable for testing with the advantage of safety. However, we could not explain differences in relationships between measurements and daily activities, pointing to a need for further research. Elderly people must maintain their capacity for ADL to support a good quality of life, and we have demonstrated the utility of measurements that include normal levels of activity as indicators.
