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。
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.