The Interlink among Age, Functional Fitness, and Perception of Health and Quality of Life: A Mediation Analysis

Simone Ciaccioni, Caterina Pesce, Roberta Forte, Valentina Presta, Angela Di Baldassarre, Laura Capranica and Giancarlo Condello
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Simone Ciaccioni: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Roma, Italy
Caterina Pesce: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Roma, Italy
Roberta Forte: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Roma, Italy
Valentina Presta: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
Angela Di Baldassarre: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Laura Capranica: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 6, 00135 Roma, Italy
Giancarlo Condello: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: In aging societies, physical activity may benefit functional fitness influencing the health of older people. The aim of this study was to explore the interrelation between age and perception of health and quality of life, and the mediating effects of functional fitness in older individuals. One hundred and sixty-six late middle-aged (55–64 years, young-old (65–74 years), and old (75–84 years) adults, divided into senior athletes ( n = 44), physically active ( n = 59), and sedentary individuals ( n = 63) were evaluated for functional fitness (flexibility, strength, interlimb coordination, endurance) and physical (Physical Component Summary-PCS) and mental (Mental Component Summary-MCS) health and quality of life perception. Multiple mediation analyses were applied to assess the relationship between age and PCS and MCS indices and the role of functional fitness-related mediators. For MCS only, the mediation analysis showed a positive total and direct effect of age and a negative total indirect effect through mediators. No effects emerged for PCS. Despite a decline in their functional fitness, older individuals were able to maintain a mental health perception, also demonstrating how beneficial effects of physically active lifestyle on functional fitness can positively impact the cognitive-emotional dimension of mental health with advancing age.

Keywords: aging; physical fitness; senior athletes; mental health; mediating chains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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