PacifiCare Supports Agility Tests for Those 65 and Older

On your mark. Get set. Sit.

PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. is sponsoring nationwide tests of agility for people 65 and older. The Santa Ana-based health maintenance company is paying about $300,000 to support a Cal State Fullerton study of how 5,000 seniors perform on tests of their physical function and flexibility.

Researchers will develop performance standards that seniors can use as a guide for measuring their own fitness. What’s more, PacifiCare aims to use the norms to promote exercise, strength and flexibility as safeguards against costly disabling injuries.

“If you can prevent somebody 65 or older from having a heart attack or fall, that saves money and improves the quality of life of that member,” says Lisa Holder, director of health improvement for PacifiCare’s “Secure Horizons” health plan for seniors.

Researchers designated six tests for ambulatory seniors striving to maintain independence in their daily lives:

* “Biceps curl,” testing upper body strength, measures how many times you can lift a weight in 30 seconds. Weights are 5 pounds for women, 8 for men.

* “Chair stand,” for lower body strength, tests how many times you can stand and sit back down in 30 seconds.

* “Back scratch,” for upper body flexibility, tests how far you can reach behind your back, with one hand going up, over, then behind your head, while the other reaches behind.

* “Sit and reach,” for lower body flexibility, tests if you can touch your toes while sitting in a chair.

* “Up and go,” for speed, agility and balance, clocks how long it takes you to stand, walk 8 feet and return to a chair.

* “Six-minute walk,” for cardiovascular endurance, measures how far you can walk in 6 minutes.

Thus far, researchers have collected data from 1,500 seniors nationally, including 500 in Southern California. Local tests are still being scheduled through doctors’ offices and senior centers. Results are expected to be published by the end of the year.

*

Barbara Marsh covers health care for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7762 and at barbara.marsh@latimes.com