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The Associations between Physical Activity, Functional Fitness, and Life Satisfaction among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Shih-Huei Syue

    (Department of Family Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Hui-Fei Yang

    (Department of Community Health, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Wei Wang

    (Department of Community Health, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Shih-Yu Hung

    (Department of Community Health, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Pei-Hsuan Lee

    (Department of Community Health, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan)

  • Sheng-Yu Fan

    (Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan)

Abstract

Previous studies showed physical activity had benefits for older adults’ life satisfaction, but the mechanism was unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether older adults with more physical activity had better functional fitness and life satisfaction, and whether functional fitness mediated the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction. A cross-sectional study design was employed, and 623 older adults (73.71 ± 5.91 years) were recruited. Physical activity, functional fitness, life satisfaction, and demographic characteristics were collected. Compared with older adults with low physical activity, those with high ( B = 0.41, p = 0.025) and moderate ( B = 0.40, p = 0.041) physical activity had better life satisfaction; those with high physical activity had better lower limb muscle strength ( B = 1.71, p = 0.001), upper ( B = 2.91, p = 0.032) and lower ( B = 3.12, p = 0.006) limb flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance ( B = 6.65, p = 0.008), and dynamic balance ability ( B = −1.12, p < 0.001). Functional fitness did not mediate the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction. Promoting physical activity may be useful for increasing older adults’ functional fitness and life satisfaction, but the effects on functional fitness only occurred at a high level of physical activity, and the effect of physical activity on life satisfaction was not mediated by functional fitness.

Suggested Citation

  • Shih-Huei Syue & Hui-Fei Yang & Cheng-Wei Wang & Shih-Yu Hung & Pei-Hsuan Lee & Sheng-Yu Fan, 2022. "The Associations between Physical Activity, Functional Fitness, and Life Satisfaction among Community-Dwelling Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8043-:d:852663
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. María Antonia Parra-Rizo & Gema Sanchis-Soler, 2020. "Satisfaction with Life, Subjective Well-Being and Functional Skills in Active Older Adults Based on Their Level of Physical Activity Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Agnieszka Nawrocka & Jacek Polechoński & Wiesław Garbaciak & Władysław Mynarski, 2019. "Functional Fitness and Quality of Life among Women over 60 Years of Age Depending on Their Level of Objectively Measured Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-9, March.
    3. Hsin-Yu An & Wei Chen & Cheng-Wei Wang & Hui-Fei Yang & Wan-Ting Huang & Sheng-Yu Fan, 2020. "The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
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