HEALTH RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVELS OF ELDERLY

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the level of health-related physical fitness (HRPF) in Novi Sad elderly. Forty-nine elderly people 73.22±5.04 years of age (20 female and 29 male) participated in this study. Health status, body composition and HRPF were measured. Differences between HRPF indicators between health risk factor groups were calculated with application of one-way univariate analysis of variance(ANOVA), with a 95% confidence level (p < .05). The relationship between health risk stratification factor and HRPF was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficients (p < .05). By Risk Factor Stratification, the participants were grouped into: low risk - 36.7%; moderate risk - 16.3% and high risk group - 46.9% of participants. Statistically significant difference has been noted in hand grip strength between health low risk and high risk participants (p = 0.04). Moderate negative relationship between health risk factor and balance (r = -.417) and cardiovascular fitness (r = -.426)was noted. The analyses of health status indicate prehypertension. The results of body composition show overweight, and HRPF level indicates high cardiovascular disease risk, muscle strength at risk level, and flexibility and balance at satisfactory level for this age.