超高齢社会と高齢者の健康・フィットネス

人生100 年時代を見据えて

抄録

Measures and policies to support elderly people in anticipation of an era of a 100-year lifetime have become necessary with the advent of hyperaged society unprecedented in human history. Particularly, for elderly people to retain functions necessary for independent living is among important issues, and fitness is its base. Our previous studies have indicated the following as characteristics of fitness of elderly people: The balance ability declines markedly in old age but shows wide individual variation. However, the fitness age is about 10 years younger, and injuries due to falls are less frequent, in those with than without a habit of exercise such as walking. Fitness in old age affects the life expectancy, and the rate of age-associated decline in fitness is closely correlated with the mortality. Exercise intervention in elderly people has been suggested to improve the gait speed, number of standing up from a chair in a specified time period, and grip strength, increase the activity level, and reduce medical expenditure and payment from the national long-term care insurance scheme.