Functional Fitness Normative Scores for Community-Residing Older Adults, Ages 60-94
Abstract
This article describes a nationwide study conducted to develop normative performance 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 sites in 21 states. Summary data ( 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 groups 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 declines were significant ( p < .007). ANOVAs also revealed a significant main effect 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 rates of change across age groups, and they provide a database for subsequent evaluation of individual and group performance.
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Back-transforming the SMDs to natural units using SDs from a large observational cohort of community-living older adults, the GUG effect (SMD 0.34) corresponds to a mean (SD) 0.62 (1.85)-second improvement and the chair-stand effect (SMD 0.13) to a 0.56 (4.3)-stands improvement.
“based on SDs from a large, observational cohort of community-living older adults,55 for GUG (SMD, 0.34), we estimated a mean (SD) 0.62 (1.85)-second improvement, and for chair stands (SMD, 0.13), a 0.56 (4.3)-stands improvement.”
From Comparison of Power Training vs Traditional Strength Training on Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2022) · cites this paper as [55]
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- Authors
- Rikli, R. E., & Jones, C. J.
- Venue
- Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 1999-04
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 162-181
- ISSN
- 1063-8652 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-267X
- OpenAlex
- W2166297998
- Cited by
- 881
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 24 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 85 · 2021: 94 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 1.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
- Keywords
- functional fitness, reference values, older adults, community-dwelling older adults, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, agility, balance, body mass index, body composition, age-related decline, sex differences
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