What is functional fitness? I've heard that older adults need to work on this, but I don't know what it is.
The concept of functional fitness (FF) could apply to any age but especially to older adults. By virtue of the aging process, muscle strength declines as does cardiopulmonary endurance and flexibility.
FF refers to the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). This could be walking, climbing stairs, or getting up and down from a toilet or chair. Reaching for objects, performing house or yard work, and carrying groceries or other heavy objects are other examples of ADLs.
Balance, flexibility, and agility are needed for FF. Strength in both the upper and lower body are also important. All of these things combined together help prevent falls that can be deadly for an older adult.
Experts are studying ways older adults can maintain and/or improve FF. Various types of exercise have been compared. For example, one study of 113 adults ages 67 to 79 included aerobic, resistance, balance, flexibility, and Tai Chi exercises.
They found that only specific aerobic exercise improved cardiorespiratory function. But all the other types of exercise actually provided cross-training. Adults who include aerobic exercise plus one other type (resistance, balance, Tai Chi) should do well in getting the components needed for FF.
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