Condición física, independencia funcional y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adultos mayores chilenos

Laburpena

The objective of this doctoral thesis is to analyze and relate physical fitness, functional independence and quality of life related to health in the elderly. The total sample was comprised of 406 participants aged 60 years old or over from adult daycare centers, associations, nursing homes and clubs for the elderly of Maule region, Chile. In order to fulfill the main objective of the doctoral thesis, the following measuring instruments were used: Physical fitness test battery: back scratch, chair sit-and-reach, handgrip, 30-s chair stand, timed up-and-go and 6-min walking; anthropometric measurements and a battery of questionnaires consisting of: general information, IFIS, CPF, a health questionnaire prepared by EuroQol Group (EQ-5D-5L) and International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ). The main results of this thesis are: obtaining the adapted version of the Composite Physical Function (CPF) for its use in Chile, the validation of the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) questionnaire in the elderly, developing cut-off points of physical fitness an elderly person should have in order to avoid the loss of function, and proving that physical functionality acts as a mediator in the relation between physical fitness and quality of life in connection with the health of the elderly.