Evidence for Possible Correlations and Effects of Senior Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument and the Senior Functional Fitness in Female Older Adults

The evaluation of physical literacy has been extensively validated in adolescents, but its applicability to older adults remains underdeveloped. This study examines the relationship between functional fitness and physical competence in older women. A total of 350 female older adults from community centers in Southern Taiwan completed the 11-item Senior Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (SPPLI-11) (Cronbach’s α = 0.90) and the Senior Functional Fitness Test (SFFT). Simple linear regression analyzed the correlation between SPPLI and SFFT components, while a t-test assessed SPPLI differences across age groups. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (β = −0.264, p < 0.05) was identified as a key component of physical competence. Significant differences in physical activity ability were observed between age groups (65–74 vs. 75+ years, p < 0.05). WHR was the only SFFT component significantly correlated with physical literacy. While all SPPLI measures were positively associated with increased WHR, SFFT was not a strong predictor of SPPLI. Despite declining SFFT scores with age, perceived physical literacy remained stable. This finding highlights the need to balance subjective and objective assessments when evaluating physical literacy in older adults.