HEALTH STATUS OF MEN AGED 50–70 YEARS WHO ENGAGE IN REGULAR EXERCISE IN SOUTH KOLKATA, INDIA

Abstract

Background: Regular physical activity is widely suggested to preserve physiological functions and physical fitness in ageing men; however, data specific to certain regions of Indian urban populations remain rare. Objective: This cross-sectional study measured physical, physiological, and motor fitness constraints in males aged 50 70 years who exercise regularly in the district of South Kolkata, India, and observed the difference in these constraints across four (4) age subdivisions. Methods: A total of 120 regularly exercising men were engaged by simple random sampling and graded into four groups of 30 as follows (Group A: 50–55 y; B: 56–60 y; C: 61–65 y; and D: 66–70 y). We recorded physical variables (height, weight, and BMI), physiological variables (systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen saturation [SpO2], respiratory rate, and peak expiratory flow), and motor fitness variables (handgrip strength, one-leg balance, and sit-and reach flexibility) using standard tools. We tested group differences using one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. Results: The mean of BMI decreased from 28.08 kg/m² (A Group) to 25.57 kg/m² (D Group). No significant between group differences were found in systolic blood pressure (F = 0.24, p = .870), diastolic blood pressure (F = 0.09, p = .963), pulse rate (F = 0.17, p = .916), SpO2 (F = 0.34, p = .793), respiratory rate (F = 0.96, p = .415), peak expiratory flow (F = 1.38, p = .252), or handgrip strength (F = 1.97, p = .123). Significant age-related declines were observed in one-leg balance (F = 2.88, p = .039), driven mainly by the difference between Groups A and D (p = .009), and lower back flexibility (F = 7.97, p < .001), with Group D significantly lower than Groups A, B, and C. Conclusion: In males who engage in regular exercise in South Kolkata, cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were observed to remain stable between the ages of 50 and 70. However, a significant decline in balance and flexibility was noted in the oldest age group. These findings advocate for the inclusion of specific balance and flexibility training in exercise regimens for older men.