[Reference values for the senior fitness test in Chilean older women].

BACKGROUND

The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) is frequently used to assess physical fitness and functional independence in older people.

AIM

To establish reference values for the SFT in Chilean physically active older women according to age ranges.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study that included 1048 Chilean women aged between 60 and 85 years. Chair stand (CS), arm curl (AC), two-min walk (2 min), chair sit-and-reach (CSr), back scratch (BS), and timed up-and-go test (TUG) were evaluated. The reference values are presented in percentiles (p5, p10, p25, p50, p75, p90 and p95) and are distributed age intervals (60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and ≥ 80 years).

RESULTS

There was a decrease in strength (CS and AC), aerobic resistance (2 min) and flexibility (CSr and BS) along with age, whereas the time required to perform the timed up and go increased along with age.

CONCLUSIONS

Physically active older women show a deterioration in physical fitness along with age. These women have higher reference values in CS, AC, 2 min and CSr, and lower in BS and TUG, than those reported abroad for the SFT.