[270] Effects of health and physical fitness classes for older adults on cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity

Older people are required to maintain high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity in order to live independently in the community. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of health and physical fitness classes for older adults on cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity. The class consisted of a 60-minute aerobics session, once per week, for a period of 14 weeks. Subjects participating in the class were 139 men and women, aged 60-85 years. They performed a 400-m walking test and were assessed using the TMIG Index of Competence. In the 400-m walking test, subjects walked with fairly light effort. The time required to walk 400 m was shorter at the end of the program (280.4 sec) than at the beginning (267.1 sec). Also, the TMIG Index of Competence was higher at the end (12.7) than at the beginning (12.5). These results suggest that the health and physical fitness class for older adults was effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and functional capacity.