Assessment of Physical Fitness and Exercise Tolerance in Residents of Nursing Homes with Mild Dementia

Introduction. Aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia will become an increasingly serious public health problem with the global population demographic trend. Progressive dementia leads to a decrease in the ability to perform daily activities. Decline in intellectual and other cognitive functions is one of the most common changes in the aging process. People with dementia are more prone to limiting their activities, which promotes sarcopenia, reduced functional function and tolerance to physical exertion. Systematic, properly selected physical activity decreases the regression processes in the above areas. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess whether the early stage of dementia in the subjects is a factor reducing the level of physical fitness and exercise tolerance. Material and Methods. 74 women aged 80–84, residents of the nursing home, were examined. The subjects were divided. The first group consisted of 30 people diagnosed with mild dementia based on the assessment of the Mini Mental State Examination test. The second group consisted of 44 people without symptoms of dementia. Both groups underwent a Short Physical Performance Battery test to assess fitness and a 6-minute walk test to assess exercise tolerance. Results. The mean value of the body mass index was in the first group (25.9±2.2), in the second group was (25.3±3), the difference was insignificant p<0.7. The mean value of the Short Physical Performance Battery test in the first group was (6±2.1), in the second group it was (6±2.4), the difference was insignificant p<0.2. The mean value of the 6-minute walk test in the first group was (234±91), in the second group was (222±85), an insignificant difference of p<0.6. The differences for all the analyzed traits are statistically insignificant, the studied groups of women did not differ significantly in terms of the analyzed features. Conclusions. Dementia diagnosed at the mild level is not a factor significantly reducing the level of physical fitness and exercise tolerance. It is important to choose the right physical activity program aimed at this group. (JNNN 2025;14(1):3–7)