Body Compositon and Cardiorespiratory Endurance: Predictors of Physical Functioning Among Older Adults in Navrongo, Upper East Region-Ghana

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable part of human life and everyone will grow and become old. The aging process is characterized by reduced physical activity levels, excess accumulation of fat and loss of muscle mass resulting in extra weight gain reduced cardiorespiratory function leading to loss of physical function among the aged. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which components of physical fitness (body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance) predict physical functional capacity of older adults in Navrongo. This study employs quantitative cross-sectional design to determine the role of physical activity in body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance which in turn influence physical functional capacity of the adults. A multistage sampling method was used to sample 998 participants for this study. The senior fitness test battery, international physical activity questionnaire short form for the elderly, weighing scale and tape measure were used to collect the data. The results indicated that older adults in Navrongo are minimally active with older women being overweight, with reduced cardiorespiratory endurance and physical functional capacity. The minimal physical activity levels of older adults correlated weakly with their cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, and physical functional capacity levels. Body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance were found to be predictors of physical functional capacity of older adults in Navrongo. It is recommended that, mass education on the health benefits of regular participation in physical activity is done through the media in Navrongo. Additionally, it is recommended that, older adults should spend less time sitting and be more active.