Introduction: With age, all physiological abilities begin to decline, the decline of which can be mitigated. There have been reports about positive effects of good functional fitness, which can protect against age-related degenerative brain changes. This way, we can influence on the reduction of institutionalization and enable longer stay in the home environment. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work was to evaluate the correlation between functional fitness and cognitive functions among mobile older adult nursing home residents. Methods: The study included 30 (12 men and 18 women) independent mobile residents of a nursing home. The Physical Fitness Test for the elderly was used to study functional fitness and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to assess cognitive functions. Results: The average age of the subjects was 85.1 (6.8) years. Men weight significantly heavier, taller and had a larger waist circumference compared to women. Of all the tested, 26 had reduced cognitive functions and four had preserved cognitive functions. In assessing functional fitness, men achieved better results in static balance, upper limb muscle performance, lower body flexibility, coordination, dynamic balance, speed and agility. Women, on the other hand, had better results with aerobic capacity and upper body flexibility. There was a moderate and positive correlation between cognitive functions and aerobic capacity (r = 0.478), a weak and negative correlation between cognitive functions and coordination, dynamic balance, speed and agility (r = -0.286) and a weak, positive correlation between cognitive functions and static balance, muscle performance, flexibility, the assessment of Waist-to-height ratio and Body mass index. Discussion and conclusion: Good functional physical fitness is of great importance in performing daily activities and helps to maintain cognitive functions. As found in the research, the connection between these two components definitely does exist.
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