[Characterizing the level of functional fitness of female senior-citizens residing in low-income communities]. / Caracterización del nivel de aptitud funcional de mujeres mayores residentes en comunidades de bajos ingresos.

OBJECTIVE: Developing a descriptive table regarding functional fitness parameters for women aged 62 to 92 residing in low-income communities. METHODS: The samples consisted of 222 women divided into 16 senior-citizen social groups in Jequié, Bahia, (95 %CI) Brazil. Functional fitness parameters (force, aerobic resistance, flexibility, agility, dynamic equilibrium and body mass index for evaluating body composition) were analysed in women divided into three age-groups. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percent distribution) were used for data analysis and analysing variance by comparing the three age-groups classified in accordance with functional fitness parameters (Kruskal Wallis test, p<0.05). RESULTS: There was an expressed standard decline in the age-groups' ability classified in relation to the functional fitness parameters being evaluated (except for body composition). However, compared to other studies dealing with the subject, changes occurring in physical performance happened more gradually with advanced age. CONCLUSIONS: The results achieved provide a specific normative scale which may be used on populations having similar characteristics in such a way that they can be used as a parameter for preparing more effective programmes for maintaining the functional fitness of senior-citizens living in low-income communities.