Exercise and aging: relationships between functional fitness, body mass index and psychosocial variables

The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to assess older exercisers’ functional fitness (FF), (2) to study the relationships between FF and psychosocial variables among older exercisers, and (3) to compare levels of body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength, and psychosocial variables, between exercisers and non-exercisers. Older women who were exercisers (Es, n = 17, age 59-86) and non-exercisers (NEs, n = 41, age 61-85) were tested on self-esteem, aesthetic body care, BMI and handgrip strength. Es were also tested for functional fitness using the Senior Fitness Test battery. High levels of self-esteem and aesthetic body care were observed in both groups. Handgrip strength was higher for the Es than for the NEs. In Es, FF was high (especially in lower-body strength and dynamic balance/agility) and BMI was correlated with self-esteem. Although the results indicated high levels of FF, self-esteem, and aesthetic body care for Es, further research, especially exercise-controlled trials, is needed to confirm the impact of bodily expression on physical function and well-being in the elderly.