Functional fitness: maintaining or improving function for elders with chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE This study's objective was to prove or disprove four hypotheses, three addressing physical function and a subjective measure of self-perceived well-being from participating in an elder functional fitness program. METHODS Participants included 17 chronically ill residents from an assisted-living center in Maine. Measures on mobility, metabolic equivalent estimation (MET) levels, resting heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, muscular strength, flexibility, and body weight were conducted at three intervals-baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. SAS software was used for analysis of means and paired t test. RESULTS Increases in or maintenance of function proved significant. The subjective hypothesis also proved significant. DISCUSSION Research on elder exercise focuses on one or two components, rather than the benefits of a thorough fitness program. This study illustrated improvements in physical function and well-being from participating in a comprehensive elder fitness program.

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