Relationship between anthropometry, physical activity, and functionality of female adults and elderly women

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between physical performance, age, anthropometric variables, and the condition of physical activity in female adults and physically active elderly women. This was a cross-sectional, analytical study with 152 women, between 49 and 84 years old, participants of the Open University for the Elderly program, evaluated through age, anthropometric variables, Mini Mental State Examination, Handgrip Strength, Sit-to-Stand Test from the Ground and Chair, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants’ mean age was 67.4 years, were classified as 44.4% eutrophic, 41.7% overweight and 13.9% underweight, 65.1% active and 34.9% insufficiently active. There was a weak negative correlation between the values from the Sit-to-Stand Test from the Ground when compared to age and Body Mass Index (p < 0.001). A weak correlation was observed between the Sit-to-Stand Test from the Ground and the Handgrip Strength. Handgrip strength was correlated with height (p < 0.001). Indirect strength tests in female adults and physically active elderly women were weakly related. Moreover, there was a weak correlation between global muscle strength and physical-functional capability, evaluated by the aforementioned tests, with age and BMI, in which greater age and higher BMI were correlated with lower strength and physical performance.