Differences in Exercise Performance and Leisure-time Physical Activity in Older Caucasians and African-americans.

PURPOSES: (a) To compare exercise performance and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) between older Caucasians and African-Americans, (b) to assess the relationship between exercise performance and LTPA, and (c) to determine whether group differences in exercise performance persist after adjusting for differences in LTPA. METHODS: A total of 207 Caucasians and 160 African-Americans who were 65 years of age and older participated in this study. Subjects were characterized on exercise performance by a 6-minute walk test, and by a short physical performance battery (SPPB) score consisting of a repeated chair rise test, a standing balance test, and a 4-meter walk test. Additionally, LTPA was assessed using the Minnesota LTPA questionnaire. RESULTS: African-Americans had a 16% lower SPPB value (P < 0.001), a 14% shorter 6-minute walk distance (P < 0.001), and a 34% lower LTPA value (P < 0.011) than the Caucasians. LTPA was significantly related (P < 0.01) to both SPPB and 6-minute walk distance in both groups. Differences in SPPB and 6-minute walk distance between older Caucasians and African-Americans were no longer present (P > 0.05) after controlling for LTPA. CONCLUSIONS: Older African-Americans had impaired exercise performance and lower LTPA compared to older Caucasians. Racial differences in exercise performance were no longer present after adjusting for differences in LTPA.