Aging Strong: Lifelong Attitudes to Activity and Late-Life Function in Fit and Active Women From the Czech Republic

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) supports health and independence in older age, yet little is known about how lifelong attitudes toward PA relate to fitness and PA in advanced age. The present study explored if active women aged 80 + differed in functional fitness and PA based on their long-term PA attitudes and athletic identity. Furthermore, a relationship between PA and depression was examined. A total of 225 women (M age = 82.8) completed the Senior Fitness Test and IPAQ-E. Participants were grouped by self-reported lifelong attitudes toward PA using the validated A2PA scale. Although participants reported similar current PA levels, women identified themselves as “athletic” throughout adulthood performed significantly better in muscle strength and aerobic endurance tests compared to peers with less active athletic identities. These differences were independent of age, BMI, cognitive status, education, and depressive symptoms.