Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2014 Jan-Feb;58(1):56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2013.07.011. Epub 2013 Aug 9.
Even with healthy and active aging, many older adults will experience a decrease in physical capacities. This decrease might be associated with diminished functional autonomy. However, little is known about the physical capacities associated with functional autonomy in older women and men.
This study aimed to examine gender-specific associations between functional autonomy and physical capacities in independent older women and men.
Secondary analyses were carried out using cross-sectional data from 652 women and 613 men who participated in the NuAge longitudinal study. The "functional autonomy measurement system" (SMAF) was used to evaluate functional autonomy. The physical capacities measured (tests used) were: biceps and quadriceps strength (Microfet dynamometer), grip strength (Martin vigorimeter), unipodal balance, changing position & walking (timed up and go), normal & fast walking (four-meter walking speed) and changing position (chair stand). Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, depressive symptoms and body composition were performed.
On average, participants were aged 73 years and had mild to moderate functional autonomy loss. In women, after controlling for age, depressive symptoms and body composition, greater functional autonomy was best explained by faster changing position & walking skills and superior biceps strength (R(2)=0.46; p<0.001). After controlling for depressive symptoms, faster changing position & walking skills and better unipodal balance best explained greater functional autonomy in men (R(2)=0.21; p<0.001).
According to these results, physical capacities are moderately associated with functional autonomy among independent older adults, especially women.
即使健康活跃地衰老，许多老年人的身体能力仍会下降。这种下降可能与功能自主性降低有关。然而，对于与独立老年人的功能自主性相关的身体能力，人们知之甚少。
本研究旨在检验独立老年女性和男性的功能自主性与身体能力之间的性别特异性关联。
使用参加 NuAge 纵向研究的 652 名女性和 613 名男性的横断面数据进行二次分析。使用“功能自主性测量系统”（SMAF）评估功能自主性。测量的身体能力（使用的测试）包括：二头肌和四头肌力量（Microfet 测力计）、握力（Martin 握力计）、单足平衡、位置变换和行走（计时起身行走）、正常和快速行走（四米行走速度）以及位置变换（坐站）。进行了相关性和多元线性回归分析，调整了年龄、抑郁症状和身体成分。
平均而言，参与者年龄为 73 岁，存在轻度至中度的功能自主性丧失。在女性中，在校正年龄、抑郁症状和身体成分后，更快的位置变换和行走技能以及更好的二头肌力量可以更好地解释更大的功能自主性（R²=0.46；p<0.001）。在校正抑郁症状后，更快的位置变换和行走技能以及更好的单足平衡可以更好地解释男性更大的功能自主性（R²=0.21；p<0.001）。
根据这些结果，在独立老年人中，身体能力与功能自主性中度相关，尤其是女性。
