Constitution or Environment? The Basis of Regional and Ethnic Differences in the Interactions among Gender, Age and Functional Capacity

2001 ◽  
pp. 41-77
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Functional Capacity

Abstract P151: Race/ethnic Differences in Six Minute Walk Distance Among Older Adults: The Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain G Bertoni ◽  
Michael Bancks ◽  
Lenore Crago ◽  
Haiying Chen ◽  
R G Barr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Walk Distance ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Minute Walk Distance ◽  
Minute Walk

Introduction: Data about race/ethnic differences in functional capacity among U.S. minority groups is limited, although some studies suggest blacks have a shorter six minute walk distance (6MWD), a test of functional capacity. We measured 6MWD in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), and hypothesized that health behaviors, CVD risk factors, prevalent CVD, and pulmonary function may account for any race/ethnic differences observed. Methods: MESA enrolled 6814 adults aged 45-84 years free of clinical CVD during 2000-2002. During the 6 th examination (2016-2018) trained staff measured the distance (in meters) walked by participants who walked laps at their own pace for 6 minutes along a flat and marked 20 meter distance. Race/ethnicity, gender, and education level were ascertained at baseline; Exam 6 values for all other variables were used. Prevalent CVD was defined as having a previously adjudicated event (ischemic heart disease, stroke, or heart failure). The race/ethnicity-6MWD association was evaluated via general linear regression models. We included adjustment for age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol, height, waist circumference, self-reported health status, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, BP and cholesterol medication use, creatinine, and prevalent CVD (and FEV1 and FVC for those with spirometry data). Results: A 6MWD was obtained in 2,539 participants (mean age 73 years (range 59-96) 53% female, 41% white, 14% Chinese, 24% Black, and 22% Hispanic; 8% prevalent CVD). The observed 6MWD differed by race/ethnicity by 30-50 m (Table). Covariate adjustment reduced these differences modestly. In the subset (n=2138) with spirometry (Model 4), 6MWD remained different across race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Race/ethnic disparities in functional capacity in this diverse sample are not fully explained by differences in health behaviors, CVD risk factors, prevalent CVD, heart failure symptoms, or pulmonary function.

Clinical Update: Functional Capacity Evaluations and Disability

1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Glenn Pransky
Keyword(s):  
Direct Observation ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Functional Capacity Evaluation ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Validity Of Results ◽  
Job Tasks ◽  
Capacity Evaluation ◽  
Physical Abilities ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract According to the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) measures an individual's physical abilities via a set of activities in a structured setting and provides objective data about the relationship between an impairment and maximal ability to perform work activities. A key distinction between FCEs and self-reported activities of daily living is that the former involve direct observation by professional evaluators. Numerous devices can quantify the physical function of a specific part of the musculoskeletal system but do not address the performance of whole body tasks in the workplace, and these devices have not been shown to predict accurately the ability to perform all but the simplest job tasks. Information about reliability has been proposed as a way to identify magnification and malingering, but variability due to pain and poor comprehension of instructions may cause variations in assessments. Structured work capacity evaluations involve a set of activities but likely underestimate the individual's ability to do jobs that involve complex or varying activities. Job simulations involve direct observation of an individual performing actual job tasks, require a skilled and experienced evaluator, and raise questions about expense, time, objectivity and validity of results, and interpretation of results in terms of the ability to perform specific jobs. To understand the barriers to return to work, examiners must supplement FCEs with information regarding workplace environment, accommodations, and demotivators.

Clinical Update: Functional Capacity Evaluations—An Update

1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 4-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Welch
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Disability Evaluation ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Submaximal Effort ◽  
Lack Of Sleep ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Specific Limitation

Abstract Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) have become an important component of disability evaluation during the past 10 years to assess an individual's ability to perform the essential or specific functions of a job, both preplacement and during rehabilitation. Evaluating both job performance and physical ability is a complex assessment, and some practitioners are not yet certain that an FCE can achieve these goals. An FCE is useful only if it predicts job performance, and factors that should be assessed include overall performance; consistency of performance across similar areas of the FCE; consistency between observed behaviors during the FCE and limitations or abilities reported by the worker; objective changes (eg, blood pressure and pulse) that are appropriate relative to performance; external factors (illness, lack of sleep, or medication); and a coefficient of variation that can be measured and assessed. FCEs can identify specific movement patterns or weaknesses; measure improvement during rehabilitation; identify a specific limitation that is amenable to accommodation; and identify a worker who appears to be providing a submaximal effort. FCEs are less reliable at predicting injury risk; they cannot tell us much about endurance over a time period longer than the time required for the FCE; and the FCE may measure simple muscular functions when the job requires more complex ones.

Sex and Ethnic Differences in Vocational Aptitude Patterns

1979 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Margaret E. Backman ◽  
James J. Lynch ◽  
David J. Loeding
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Differences

Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Among British Female University Students

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Swami ◽  
Angela Nogueira Campana ◽  
Rebecca Coles
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Cosmetic Surgery ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
African Caribbean

Although patients of cosmetic surgery are increasingly ethnically diverse, previous studies have not examined ethnic differences in attitudinal dispositions toward cosmetic surgery. In the present study, 751 British female university students from three ethnic groups (Caucasians, South Asians, and African Caribbeans) completed measures of acceptance of cosmetic surgery, body appreciation, self-esteem, and demographic variables. Initial between-group analyses showed that Caucasians had lower body appreciation and self-esteem than Asian and African Caribbean participants. Importantly, Caucasians had higher acceptance of cosmetic surgery than their ethnic minority counterparts, even after controlling for body appreciation, self-esteem, age, and body mass index. Further analyses showed that ethnicity accounted for a small proportion of the variance in acceptance of cosmetic surgery, with body appreciation and self-esteem emerging as stronger predictors. Possible reasons for ethnic differences in acceptance of cosmetic surgery are discussed in Conclusion.

Functional Capacity in Later Life: Meaning and Measurement

1982 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-365
Author(s):  
Linda K. George
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Life Meaning
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