Association of objectively measured physical fitness with health-related quality of life of mid-life women: the FLAMENCO project

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the association of physical fitness with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in mid-life women and to examine the potential independent association of physical fitness components with the physical and mental components from the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) in this population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 183 mid-life women from southern Spain who participated in the FLAMENCO project. Body composition was measured through an impedanciometer, a stadiometer, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical fitness was objectively measured with the Senior Fitness Test battery (cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, and dynamic balance/agility) plus handgrip strength (muscle strength). The SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess HRQoL of the participants.

Results

All the physical fitness components were associated with the SF-36 physical function (all p < 0.05) except for lower-body flexibility. The rest of the physical fitness components showed associations with most of the SF-36 dimensions (all p < 0.05). Dynamic balance/agility and upper-body flexibility were independently associated with the SF-36 physical component scale, explaining 15% and 17% of the SF-36 physical component scale, respectively. Any physical fitness component showed independent associations with the SF-36 mental component scale.

Conclusions

Greater physical fitness levels are associated with better HRQoL of mid-life women. Dynamic balance/agility and upper-body flexibility were the strongest independent physical fitness components associated with the SF-36 physical component scale.

摘要

目的:本研究旨在探讨中年妇女的身体素质与健康相关生活质量的关系, 并检查该人群的身体素质成分与来自36项简短健康调查(SF-36)的身体和精神状态的潜在独立联系。

方法:这项横断面研究包括183名来自西班牙南部参加弗拉门戈项目的中年妇女。人体成分通过阻抗测量仪、视距测量仪和双能X光吸收仪进行测量。体能是用高级体能测试电池(心肺体能、柔韧性和动态平衡/敏捷性)加上握力(肌肉力量)客观测量的。SF-36问卷用于评估参与者的生活质量。

结果:除下半身柔韧性外, 所有体质成分均与SF-36的人体机能相关(均p<0.05)。其余的体质成分与大多数SF-36维度相关(均p<0.05)。动态平衡/敏捷性和上身灵活性与SF-36身体成分量表独立相关, 分别解释了SF-36身体成分量表的15%和17%。任何体能成分都显示出与SF-36精神成分量表的独立联系。

结论:更高的体能水平与中年女性更好的生活质量相关。动态平衡/敏捷性和上身灵活性是与SF-36体成分量表相关的最强独立身体素质成分。

Keywords:

• Women’s health
• physical health
• mental health
• dynamic balance
• agility

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Ms Ana Yara Postigo-Fuentes for her assistance with the English language.

Potential conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the project PI-0667-2013, funded by the Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía, Spain. This study has also been partially funded by the University of Granada, UGR Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund 2016 – Excellence Actions Programme: Scientific Units of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES) – and the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (ref. SOMM17/6107/UGR).