OBJECTIVE: Assessing the functional fitness and anthropometric variables from independent and semi-dependent elderly living in a Long Term Care Institution for the Elderly, in Florianópolis/SC. METHOD: The participants were 6 men and 6 women within 40 residents at the institution. The exclusion criteria were: handicapped, bedridden, grade-III dependent (Resolution No. 283/05) and visually impaired. Functional fitness has been assessed by using tests from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD that were modified for institutionalized elderly and the aerobic endurance test of 6-minute walk - TC6M. RESULTS: The tests related to functional fitness were mostly classified as poor or very poor. In the test of endurance, most of them (9 subjects) reached good levels: 3 and 4, considered within desirable aerobic fitness. CONCLUSION: Most elderly participants in the study how low functional fitness even in conditions of independence or semi-independence, what point to the need of encouraging institutionalized elderly to exercise and practice activities in order to have a more active and health life.
Institutionalized Elderly; Functional Fitness; Longterm Care Institution for the Elderly