Abstract
[Purpose] We aimed to obtain the mean values for physical function tests in healthy community-dwelling people aged 50-79 years and to compare these values between age decades. [Subjects and Methods] We recruited 172 healthy community-dwelling people, who provided their written consent. Grip strength (GS), isometric knee extension torque (IKET), and the times for performing the sit-to-stand test (STS) and timed up-and-go test (TUG) were used as indicators of physical function. Maximum force (Fmax) and maximum power (Pmax) were measured by asking the subjects to perform the counter-movement jump on a force platform system. The mean values were calculated and compared between different age decades by one-way analysis of variance. [Results] In men, all the measurements showed significant differences among different age decades; moreover, GS, IKET, Fmax, and Pmax decreased, while the time required for performing the STS and TUG increased with age. In women, GS, IKET, Fmax, and Pmax decreased, while the time required for performing the TUG increased with age. However, the time required for performing the STS did not differ across age groups in women. [Conclusion] The target values for physical function tests in people aged 50-79 years were established, and they were found to change with age.
