The latest data collected in the Eurobarometer [2] indicate an increase in physical inactivity in Eastern Europe compared to Southern Europe, information that confirms the data obtained in our study, since significant differences physical fitness have been observed between the population of Eastern Europe and Southern Europe. To know the effects that physical inactivity causes on the physical fitness is key to defining corrective policies for each of the country, thus improving the health status and quality of life of older adults and reducing health expenditure.
The socio-cultural and economic contexts in which the European population carries out its daily activities are key, and show the way that the society of the future will develop. At present, the European population over 60 years of age shows country-based differences, these differences being a reflection of social and economic policies, the welfare state, food, education, climate, etc [12]. As mentioned in the introduction, the countries of Eastern Europe have a lower annual and per capita GDP than the countries of Southern Europe, and this fact has repercussions on education, health and, in short, on the welfare of citizens [1]. Because of this, it is necessary and of vital importance to develop programs such as "IN COMMON SPORTS", to motivate and provide resources for older people to continue to be physically active throughout their lives, since European data [12] show that from the age of 75, people stop being physically active. This is why programmes such as these are necessary to keep older people active, functional and autonomous, both to guarantee their quality of life and to save costs for the State [20].
As for anthropometric variables, the inhabitants of Eastern Europe are higher than the inhabitants of Southern Europe, and this is in line with other previous studies [21]. Older people living in Southern Europe have a lower fat content and WHR ratio than those living in the East, which may be due to diet, since Southern Europe advocates a Mediterranean diet with abundant vegetables, fruits and fish [22]. Likewise, the climate can also be an important variable in this case, since the climate in southern Europe favours outdoor activities.
Differences were also observed in terms of fitness capacities according to the region and the hours of physical exercise per week. Firstly, it should be noted that one of the most significant phenomena of aging is sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength), thus bringing about the loss of functional abilities in such vital gestures as climbing stairs or getting up from a chair [23]. The decline in both muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging is well documented. Thus, muscle function is of greater importance than muscle mass, validating manual dynamometry as an indicator of functionality in the older adult [24]. In fact, the study by Mancilla et al. [18] establishes the degree of independence of the subject as a function of the levels of strength collected by means of a dynamometer, according to the age range, although it should be highlighted that the sample of this study is self-validating regardless of the region and sex, if we take this study as a reference. As for the strength of the lower limbs, Jones and Rikli [25] creators of the Senior Fitness Test battery, established normative values, which the average of the sample complies with. Although both groups, GES and GEE, comply with the normative values of strength, it is necessary to emphasize that people who live in southern Europe present a greater muscular strength of both upper and lower limbs, which may allow greater functionality, and thus, favor the quality of life of the subject.
It should be noted that authors such as Castañeda et al. [26] relate lower limb strength to balance and therefore a lack of it to the risk of suffering a fall. Cadore et al. [27] suggest that muscle strength work accompanied by high intensity activities, aimed at improving muscle power, improves walking speed, the ability to get up from a chair, balance, and reduces the incidence of falls. García-Flores et al. [28], state that the most important components associated with balance are muscle strength and walking speed. These are the factors responsible for maintaining the autonomy of older people during aging, which is also reflected in this study, where the population of Southern Europe showed better levels of strength and also balance, in relation to that of Eastern Europe, regardless of gender.
Finally, it should be noted that in this study 50% of the population over 60 years of age carried out physical exercise for more than the 150 minutes per week recommended by the WHO, regardless of the region of residence. Eurostat [12], stratified its study by age groups (50–64; 65–74; + 75) showing the percentage of the population that does more than 3 hours per week of physical exercise. Spain presented the highest values (48%, 51%, and 32% respectively), followed by Italy (25%, 32%, and 20%), Bulgaria (32%, 30%, and 16%), Portugal (23%, 25%, and 16%), and Hungary (25%, 22%, and 15%). As can be seen in this study, from the age of 75 onwards, the percentage of people who undertake physical exercise for at least 3 hours a week is significantly reduced. That is why it is necessary to implement projects, such as "IN COMMON SPORTS", to offer the opportunity and motivation to the older population to exercise, which will benefit the individual, because they will maintain their autonomy, as well as benefitting the state by saving health and dependency costs.
In addition, this study supports the WHO [11], which establishes the duration of weekly physical exercise that older people must do in order to maintain their functionality, autonomy and thus an active and quality lifestyle. There are significant differences in limb strength and balance when the amount of weekly exercise is considered, although there are also significant differences in upper limb strength and aerobic capacity in Southern Europe. This may be because the type or load of physical exercise this population does is not the same. Therefore, in future research it would be advisable to establish what type and load of physical exercise is advisable in order to establish changes and improvements in the physical fitness of that population.
This research presents a series of limitations that we will now indicate. The first limitation to highlight is the cross-sectional design, which makes it impossible to track the physical fitness of older adults. Another limitation is that the sample used was chosen for convenience and is not representative of the population of each country, although it may indicate a trend. The third limitation is the small size of the sample used. The number of men who have participated in the study is very small. The researchers have decided to keep the analysis planned, as these data reflect the reality of sports physical practice by men. The fourth limitation is related to the evaluation team, which despite using the same protocols, was different for each country, and an interobserver bias may appear.
Therefore, it can be concluded that there are significant differences in anthropometric and physical fitness parameters between the population over 60 years of age living in Eastern and Southern European countries. It is necessary to implement physical exercise programmes in people over 60, especially in Eastern European countries, as well as the amount of weekly physical exercise carried out according to WHO criteria, in order to keep older people active and autonomous.