A1 Journal article (refereed)
Cohort differences in maximal physical performance : a comparison of 75- and 80-year-old men and women born 28 years apart (2021)

Koivunen, K., Sillanpää, E., Munukka, M., Portegijs, E., & Rantanen, T. (2021). Cohort differences in maximal physical performance : a comparison of 75- and 80-year-old men and women born 28 years apart. Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 76(7), 1251-1259. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa224

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Koivunen, Kaisa; Sillanpää, Elina; Munukka, Matti; Portegijs, Erja; Rantanen, Taina

Journal or series: Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

ISSN: 1079-5006

eISSN: 1758-535X

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 76

Issue number: 7

Pages range: 1251-1259

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa224

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71671

Abstract

Whether increased life expectancy is accompanied by increased functional capacity in older people at specific ages is unclear. We compared similar validated measures of maximal physical performance in two population-based older cohorts born and assessed 28 years apartParticipants in the first cohort were born in 1910 and 1914 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N=500, participation rate 77\\%). Participants in the second cohort were born in 1938 or 1939 and 1942 or 1943 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N=726, participation rate 40\\%). Participants were recruited using a population register and all community-dwelling persons in the target area were eligible. Both cohorts were interviewed at home and examined at the research center with identical protocols. Maximal walking speed, maximal isometric grip and knee extension strength, lung function measurements; forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were assessed. Data on non-participation were systematically collectedWalking speed was on average 0.2-0.4 m/s faster in the later than earlier cohort. In grip strength, the improvements were 5-25\\%, and in knee extension strength 20-47\\%. In FVC, the improvements were 14-21\\% and in FEV1 0-14\\%The later cohort showed markedly and meaningfully higher results in the maximal functional capacity tests, suggesting that currently 75- and 80-year old people in Finland are living to older ages nowadays with better physical functioning.

Keywords: life expectancy; older people; functional capacity; physical functioning; performance (capacity); walking (motion); cohort study

Free keywords: secular trends; birth cohorts; functional capacity; forced expiratory volume function; forced vital capacity; Finland; life expectancy; respiratory physiology; pulmonary function test; solder adult; birth; pulmonary function; community; functional capacity; walking speed; extension of knee; rip strength; physical function

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 3