Date of Graduation

5-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

Gray, Rhonda M.

Committee Member/Reader

Fort, Inza L.

Committee Member/Second Reader

Ganio, Matthew S.

Abstract

The current study examined the relationship between functional fitness measures and muscular power among older adults. A 30-second chair stand test, 10-meter habitual walking test, and an 8-foot up-and-go test were all used as measures of functional fitness and muscular power was measured by Tendo analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine what aspects of functional fitness were associated with muscular power while then provide evidence that functional fitness can predict muscular power among older adults. Fifty-seven participants over 65 years old completed both the functional fitness and muscular power measures. Three separate correlations between functional fitness measures (30-sec chair stand, 8-foot up-and-go, and habitual walk) and muscular power, specifically relative peak power, revealed significant associations in all three. The 30-second chair stand test showed the strongest relationship; r = .72, p < .05. The 8-foot up-and-go and the 10-meter or habitual walk task was found to be negatively correlated with relative peak power; r = -.56, p < .05; r = -.29, p < .05. These findings support other research that showed functional fitness measures to be a valid tool for predicting muscular power. Increased functional fitness and muscular power is important in older adults to remain independent and specific training regimens allow individuals to maintain functional fitness as well as muscular power.

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