Estimation equation for the evaluation of the health status of middle-aged and elderly individuals based on the results of physical fitness tests: a proposal for use as an initial screening test

Abstract

This study prepared an estimation equation for the evaluation of health status of middle-aged and elderly males and females on the basis of physical fitness tests easily performed at fitness facilities not equipped to conduct medical checkups. The participants were 2,096 males and females aged 30 to 69 years. All participants underwent medical checkups and physical fitness tests, which, based on the judgment of a medical doctor, determined categorization into two groups; namely, a healthy group and an unhealthy group. Multiple discriminant analysis was applied to prepare an estimation equation, and correct discriminant probabilities were used to evaluate the validity of the equation. Physical fitness variables selected for the equations were height, weight, body mass index, percent body fat, grip strength, one leg balance with eyes closed, reaction time, sit-ups, Vo2max, and age. The correct discriminant probabilities of discriminant functions obtained for males and females were 66.5 % to 76.6 % and 62.7 % to 76.4 %, respectively. This suggested that health status could be evaluated with relatively high accuracy by the estimation equation derived from the physical fitness test. The equation presented in this study as an initial screening test is useful in the practical field of exercise instruction for the promotion and maintenance of health in middle-aged and elderly individuals