2010 Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 115-119
[Purpose] We assessed the upper body-raising ability of elderly persons, and compared it with their physical and psychological functions. [Subjects] The subjects were 475 community-dwelling elderly persons: 106 males, 369 females, average age 74.5 ± 5.9. [Method] We compared 6 items of physical function, including muscle strength and walking ability, and 3 items of psychological function, including subjective health and purpose in life, and compared them between gender and ability to raise the upper body. [Results] The proportion of males, 65.1%, who could raise the upper body was significantly greater than that of females, 41.5%. Significant differences were found for all of the 6 items of physical function, and those who could raise the upper body showed better values than those who could not. Among the psychological items, a significant difference was found for subjective health, and those who could raise the upper body perceived themselves as being more healthy. [Conclusion] The results show that ability to raise the upper body is not just a simple test which well-reflects physical function, but one which can possibly ascertain the overall health levels of the elderly, including subjective health.
