Is cardiorespiratory fitness independently associated with functional limitations in the disablement process

Conceptual models of disability have focused on disease-specific factors as the primary cause of disability. Functional limitations in the performance of basic tasks are considered primary mediators on the causal pathway from disease to disability. The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the association between physical fitness, with a specific focus on cardiorespiratory fitness and functional limitations; and (2) to determine if a threshold effect exists between cardiorespiratory fitness and functional limitations. This study is based upon data collected on 161 community-dwelling men and women (72.5...