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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Roberta E. Rikli and C. Jessie Jones
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
parameters and quality of life of aging women: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity . Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2023-0010 Author Josianne da Costa Rodrigues-Krause’s name was misspelled. The article was corrected August, 2, 2023. The authors
Vladimir Ivkovic and Max J. Kurz
This study investigated the nature of the structural variations found in the motor output of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Young (n = 21; 19.9 ± 1.3 yrs.), aged (n = 9; 74.8 ± 6.8 yrs.) and individuals with PD (n = 9; 73.4 ± 6.6 yrs.) swung their leg at a pendular frequency and frequencies that were 20% faster and slower. This study had three key findings. First, individuals with PD have greater variability in the leg swing angular kinematics and swing times. These variations appear to be related to the 0–15 Hz band of the of angular displacement power spectrum. Second, changes in the structural variations appear to not be derived from a stochastic source. Third, the magnitude of the variations and the structure of the variations are influenced by the frequency that the leg is swung. These results are consistent with the viewpoint that changes in the magnitude of the variations and the regularity of the structural variations are dependent upon health and adaptability to the task dynamics.
David Geard, Peter R.J. Reaburn, Amanda L. Rebar, and Rylee A. Dionigi
During the 20th century, approximately 30 years were added to human life expectancy ( Oeppen & Vaupel, 2002 ). This increase in life expectancy, coupled with better health care and declining fertility rates, has led to a significant aging of the global population. Consequently, the number of people
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
women. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity , 31 (4), 541–547. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2022-0142 The ORCID number listed for Kiyoshi Sanada was incorrect. The article was corrected August, 2, 2023. The authors apologize for the error.
Pantelis T. Nikolaidis, Stefania Di Gangi, and Beat Knechtle
,000,000 finishers in 2014. In contrast to the number of marathon races that remained stable (∼1,100 races per year), the number of half-marathons increased to 2,800 races in 2016 from 2,700 races in 2015 ( www.runningusa.org/half-marathon-report-2017 ). Little is known about the age-related performance decline in
Amal A. Wanigatunga, Fangyu Liu, Jacek K. Urbanek, Hang Wang, Junrui Di, Vadim Zipunnikov, Yurun Cai, Ryan J. Dougherty, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Luigi Ferrucci, and Jennifer A. Schrack
Physical activity declines with age ( Hallal et al., 2012 ), tending to accelerate in later life ( Buchman et al., 2014 ). Traditionally, self-report questionnaires captured these declines by assessing participation in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities (e.g., exercise; Keadle et al., 2016
Arun Eswaran and Brad A. Meisner
Ageism involves generalized beliefs (stereotypes), attitudes (prejudice), and behaviors (discrimination) toward individuals of an age group based on their chronological age rather than on other individuating attributes ( Ayalon & Tesch-Römer, 2017 ; Iversen et al., 2009 ; Meisner & Levy, 2016
Heather M. Hamilton and Rumit Singh Kakar
Running is an increasingly popular form of exercise that provides numerous health benefits. 1 In aging runners, running has been associated with decreased disability and mortality. 2 However, aging is associated with several physiological and biomechanical changes that may interfere with aging
Hilary A.T. Caldwell, Nicole A. Proudfoot, Natascja A. DiCristofaro, John Cairney, Steven R. Bray, and Brian W. Timmons
health indicators in school-age children, and that moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) mediated the relationship between physical literacy and aerobic fitness. 3 Among a sample of youth from northern Canada, physical literacy was moderately associated ( r = .20–.44) with self
