Abstract
The objective of this research was to test the physical fitness, evaluate physical well-being, analyze relationships and cluster analysis of physical fitness, and investigate indicators for physical fitness in Thai elderly throughout Thailand. The samples were self-help elderly consisting of males and females, aged 60-69 years old. They were recruited from 5 regional parts of Thailand, 400 participants in each region, including a total of 2,000 participants. The research instruments were two set. Set one was the physical fitness testing for Thai elderly in 6 categories including with body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, agility and balance, flexibility, and reaction time and coordination. In addition, there were recordings of electromyograms (EMG). Set two was the physical well-being in elderly including with physical activity, nutrition, rest and sleep, and health problem and non-communicable disease (NCD). The analysis of general data were used with distribution of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, classifying by genders and regions. The classifications of physical fitness groups in Thai elderly were used with cluster analysis and physical fitness indicators. The results demonstrated that the physical fitness groups of the elderly were classified into four groups composed of the 522 participants in very good group (26.14%), the 770 participants in good group (38.56%), the 478 participants in fair group (23.93%) and the 227 participants in risk group (11.37%). The cluster results revealed that the waist circumference could be best used to classify (F = 669.732), followed by the VO2 max from the six-minute walk test, body weight and body mass index (BMI) respectively. The results of indicators were 12 assessment criteria including 30-s block transfer test, reaction time, sit and reach test, TUG time, distances in six-minute walk test, body fat percentage, hip circumference, and waist circumference. In conclusion, the physical fitness test of Thai elderly and assessing the physical well-being of most Thai elderly. This information can be used for health promotion planning for Thai elderly.
