Functional fitness normative scores for community-residing older adults, ages 60-94

This article describes a nationwide study conducted to develop normative pe rformance data for community-residing older adults. The physical parameters assessed are strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, and agility/balance . Body mass index was also assessed as an estimate of body composition. The sample comprised 7,183 participants from 267 sires in 21 states. Summary d ata (M, SD, and percentiles) are reported separately for men and women in 5 -year age groups. Results reveal a pattern of decline across most age group s on all variables. ANOVA and post hoc comparisons indicated a significant main effect for age on all variables and that most 5-year age-group decline s were significant (p < .007). ANOVAs also revealed a significant main effe ct for gender on all test items (p < .0001): Men scored better on strength, aerobic endurance, and agility/balance; women scored better on flexibility . The data provide information about normal variations within and usual rat es of change across age groups, and they provide a database for subsequent evaluation of individual and group performance.