Assessment of physical fitness levels of elderly Turkish males over 60 years

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical fitness level of independent-living Turkish males aged from 60 to >80 years. 849 healthy and physically independent male adults participated in this study voluntarily. Participants divided into five age groups as 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and >80. SFT protocol that included six items (chair stand test, arm curl test, 2 min step test, chair sit and reach test, back scratch test, 8 foot up and go test), was administered to each participant to assess their physical fitness level. Findings from this study indicated that physical fitness level of participants decreased through the aging process. Almost in all test items of SFT 60-64 age group had better scores than that of the other age groups.