week 11: functional fitness

Question 1

what is functional fitness

Answer 1

the physiological capacity to perform everyday activities safely and independently without undue fatigue

Question 2

physical performance

Answer 2

an objectively measured whole-body function related to mobility

Question 3

ADL’s

Answer 3

bathing, dressing, grocery shopping, travel, self-feeding, personal hygiene/grooming, using the washroom
- in subjective you get an idea of what the client wants to do in daily living

Question 4

importance of functional fitness

Answer 4

the elderly population is the most rapidly expanding age group in Canada
- older adults are the least physically active of any age group and generate the highest health care costs
- physical disability among elderly persons is high and increasing
aging is associated with a reduction in skeletal muscle mass and increased risk of:
- falls, disability, functional impairment, loss of independence

Question 5

before performing functional fitness assessments

Answer 5

1. consider the specific population for which each test was developed
2. be aware of known floor or ceiling effects
   - build up strength then endurance
3. understand the context in which change scores, or predictive capabilities are attributed

Question 6

assessment of functional fitness

Answer 6

developed by Rikli and Jones (1999) to detect factors for physical frailty
- assesses the major underlying physical parameters associated with functional mobility in independent older adults
- identifies areas of weakness
- measure risk factors that are precursors to the loss of function

Question 7

TUG test

Answer 7

• a commonly used clinical measure of functional balance and mobility
• validated in variety of patient populations (vestibular disorders, stroke, spinal injuries, parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis, older adults, alzheimers disease and progressive dementia, brain injury)

Question 8

sitting to rising test (SRT)

Answer 8

• simple clinical test that assesses an individuals ability to sit down and rise from the floor
• SRT requires trunk strength, motor control, and endurance
• 11 pt ordinal scale (0-10)
• SRT has been shown to be related to an increased risk of falling and a significant predictor of mortality in 51-80yr old adults, with lower scores associated with higher mortality