Association of Physical Performance with Mental and Physical Health-Related Quality of Life and Low Back Pain-Related Disabilities among Older Adults with Severe Obesity

<b>Background:</b> Low back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal problems and continues to be the leading cause of disabilities worldwide. The aim of this study was to cross-sectionally investigate the association of physical performance with mental and physical health-related quality of life and low back pain-related disabilities among older adults with severe obesity. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 96 hospitalized older adults with severe obesity (45 males, 51 females, age: 69.7 ± 5.4 years; BMI: 43.7 ± 5.7 kg/m²) were recruited into the study. Physical performance, health-related quality of life, and low back pain-related disability were measured through physical performance tests, the 12-item short-form survey (SF-12), and the Oswestry disability index, respectively. <b>Results:</b> LBP-related disabilities, as well as physical health-related quality of life, were associated with all the physiological parameters measured by physical performance tests, including muscular strength, aerobic capacity, balance, and lower body flexibility (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In contrast, mental health-related quality of life was associated with fewer physiological parameters, such as primarily muscular strength (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings could provide important insights for developing rehabilitation strategies designed to improve LBP-related disabilities, as well as the physical and mental health-related quality of life, in older adults with severe obesity.