The Relationship Between Pulmonary Function and Physical Function and Mobility in Community-Dwelling Elderly Women Aged 75 Years or Older

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 443 - 449
• Main Authors: Abe, Tsutomu, Suzuki, Takao, Yoshida, Hideyo, Shimada, Hiroyuki, Inoue, Nobuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2011
• Subjects: Elderly women; Physical function and mobility; Pulmonary function
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.23.443

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary function and the physical function and mobility of community-dwelling elderly women aged ≥75 years. [Methods] The subjects were 1,022 women aged ≥75 years who were living in an urban environment. We measured their vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0) by spirometry, and assessed their physical function and mobility. [Results] Older women exhibited inferior pulmonary function as well as reduced physical function and mobility. These findings highlight the impact of diminished pulmonary function on physical function in old age. [Conclusions] Women of advanced age have diminished pulmonary function, physical function, and mobility, and diminished pulmonary function is associated with declining physical function. When an examination is required, spirometry should be included as an examination modality for its diagnostic value.