Physical Function

Question 1

what is physical function?

Answer 1

the ability to perform ADL as normally as expected according to a person’s age in order to live independently

Question 2

What is physical function also known as?

Answer 2

disability, physical limitation, physical performance, physical capacity, functional status/independence, and physical ability/disability

Question 3

what are examples of activities of daily living (ADL)?

Answer 3

getting in and out of a chair, going up stairs, bathing oneself, cooking food, cleaning home, doing shopping

Question 4

how does being able to perform ADL affect OA?

Answer 4

increases quality of life, enjoyment levels and gives a sense of independence.

Question 5

what is frailty?

Answer 5

distinctive health state related to aging process where body systems begin to degrade.

Question 6

what are symptoms related to frailty?

Answer 6

falls, mobility issues, delirium, incontinence, unintentional weight loss, reduced muscle strength, reduced gait speed, self-reported exhaustion, low energy expenditure.

Question 7

what is the strongest risk factor to frailty?

Answer 7

age!

Question 8

what is ADL? examples?

Answer 8

activities of daily living;
basic activities that are necessary for a person to live independently in their home:
personal hygiene, dressing, eating, maintaining continence, mobility.

Question 9

What is IADLs? examples?

Answer 9

instrumental activities of daily living:
activites important to OA to remain independent but are not crucial.
communication skills, meal prep, shopping, housework.

Question 10

what are some exercises to help maintain ADLs?

Answer 10

shoulder press, RDLs, squats, bicep curls.

Question 11

what are exercises to maintain IADLs?

Answer 11

bicep curls, squats, balance/walking techniques, bent over SA rows.

Question 12

what would be consequences of low physical function?

Answer 12

reliable indicator of health status vs diseases.
functional capacity powerful indicator of negative events, independent of presence and number of disease conditions.
low scores can affect physical abilities and psychological/social wellbeing.

Question 13

what physical abilities can be affected with low physical function?

Answer 13

gait speed, upper/lower limb strength, agility, flexibility, power.

Question 14

how does low physical function affect quality of life?

Answer 14

perception and reaction to health status directly affects views of their comfort and happiness.

Question 15

What is low physical function a predictor of?

Answer 15

nursing home admission: 3+ dependencies are more likley to enter a nursing home over 2-6 year interval.

Question 16

what is the age range that physical function decline is observed?

Answer 16

30/40 to 80. decline slows after 80

Question 17

what are factors that contribute to the physical function decline normally observed in OA’s?

Answer 17

sex, cardiorespiratory fitness, neuromuscular function chronic conditions, and physical activity.

Question 18

what are the three areas of focus for improving physical function?

Answer 18

moving more, limiting sedentary time, and sleeping well.

Question 19

how much sleep should an OA get?

Answer 19

7-8 hours

Question 20

What are symptoms that may suggest a condition of frailty?

Answer 20

Fried’s scale: unintentional weight loss, reduced muscle strength, reduced gait speed, self-reported exhaustion, low energy expenditure.

Question 21

what are 5 factors that contribute to the physical function decline in older adults?

Answer 21

sex, cardiorespiratory fitness, neuromuscular function, chronic conditions, physical activity.

Question 22

what are consequences of low physical function?

Answer 22

cognitive decline, dependence, depression, fatigue, incontinence, risk of falls, social isolation, weakness, increased burden on social support, increased health care costs, understaffed health care facilities.

Question 23

define and provide examples of subjective measures of physical function:

Answer 23

subjective testing relies on the perception of the person administering test and person being tested. examples would be questionnaires.

Question 24

define and provide examples of objective measures of physical function:

Answer 24

valuable for evaluating individuals true abilities that is quanitifiable/repeatable. examples: walking speed, chair stand, grip strength, balance tests.

Question 25

what are normative values?

Answer 25

established for different tasks of daily living to compare rest results to.