Effect of sociodemographic and physical activity on cognitive function in older adults: A nationwide cross‐sectional survey

Abstract The built environment is commonly cited as a facilitator to local walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available, few studies have investigated the associations of the perceived neighborhoods with the incidence of falls in the minority communities. Hence, the purpose of this preliminary study was to understand whether the perceived built environment influenced the fall experiences in older adults living in the underserved community. The preliminary cross-sectional survey was conducted at the regional health clinic in Flint, MI. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using SAS v8.4. The eligibility criteria included over 65 years old and Flint residents. Of 132 participants, the mean age was 69.75 (SD=5.00). The majority were female (68%), African Americans (80%), single, divorced or widowed (80%), and > GED (84%). The ANOVAs supported that “had fallen in the past year” was associated with “stores are within easy walking distance,” “easy to walk to a transit stop” and “there is a dirt strip that separates the streets from the sidewalks.” The fall experience was more likely to associate with the sedentary lifestyle and the comorbidities such as diabetes, fatigues, muscle spasms, and chronic pain. To summarize, the built environment increased the incidence of falls in the past year. Those who had fallen had poor health conditions. Further studies are needed for older adults to engage in physical activity. It is essential to develop the age-friendly support systems and accommodations to local walking in this community.

Download Full-text

Relationships of Accelerometer-based Measured Objective Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Cognitive Function: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study of China’s Elderly Population

10.21203/rs.2.20301/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhi jian Wu ◽

Zhu ying Wang ◽

Bing qian Hu ◽

Xu hui Zhang ◽

Fan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Light Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: This study explored the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. To compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity, objective measures were used. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 308 aged people mean 68.66±5.377 years, in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results: The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income, found that light physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (β=0.068, p<0.001), and total physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time did not (β=-0.020, p＞0.05). Further, light physical activity only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β=0.006, p<0.05). There was an inverted ‘U’ association between moderate-vigorous physical activity and cognitive ability. The association models found that moderate-vigorous physical activity in the 22.13 min·day–1～38.79 min·day–1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially, with the highest beta coefficient among all groups (β=0.091, p<0.05). Conclusions: While physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour is associated with decreased cognitive function across genders.

Download Full-text

Relationships of Accelerometer-based Measured Objective Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Cognitive Function: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study of China’s Elderly Population

10.21203/rs.2.20301/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhi jian Wu ◽

Zhu ying Wang ◽

Bing qian Hu ◽

Xu hui Zhang ◽

Fan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Light Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract This study explored the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on the decline of cognitive ability among the elderly. To compensate for the limitations of self-reported physical activity, objective measures were used. A cross-sectional survey of 308 aged people mean 68.66±5.377 years, in Nanjing, China, was conducted. Physical activity was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The overall participant model, adjusted for age, BMI, education, and monthly average income, found that light physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01), moderate-vigorous physical activity (β=0.068, p<0.001), and total physical activity (β=0.006, p<0.01) had a significant linear relationship with cognitive ability, while sedentary time did not (β=-0.020, p＞0.05). Further, light physical activity only affects the cognitive ability of elderly females (β=0.006, p<0.05). There was an inverted ‘U’ association between moderate-vigorous physical activity and cognitive ability. The association models found that moderate-vigorous physical activity in the 22.13 min·day –1 ～38.79 min·day –1 range affected cognitive ability most beneficially, with the highest beta coefficient among all groups (β=0.091, p<0.05). In conclusion, while physical activity can significantly improve cognitive ability among the elderly, sedentary behaviour is associated with decreased cognitive function across genders.

Download Full-text

Healthcare Professionals Promotion of Physical Activity with Older Adults: A Survey of Knowledge and Routine Practice

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116064 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6064

Author(s):

Conor Cunningham ◽

Roger O’Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Routine Practice ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Promotion Of Physical Activity

Healthcare professionals have a key role in promoting physical activity, particularly among populations at greatest risk of poor health due to physical inactivity. This research aimed to develop our understanding of healthcare professionals knowledge, decision making and routine practice of physical activity promotion with older adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with practicing healthcare professionals in general practice, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing in Ireland and Northern Ireland. We received 347 eligible responses, with 70.3% of all respondents agreeing that discussing physical activity is their job and 30.0% agreeing that they have received suitable training to initiate conversations with patients about physical activity. Awareness of the content and objectives of national guidelines for physical activity varied considerably across the health professions surveyed. Less than a third of respondents had a clear plan on how to initiate discussions about physical activity in routine practice with older adults. Assessment of physical activity was not routine, neither was signposting to physical activity supports. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, 81.6% of all respondents agreed that healthcare professionals can play an increased role in promoting physical activity to older adults as part of routine practice. Appropriate education, training and access to resources are essential for supporting healthcare professionals promotion of physical activity in routine practice. Effective physical activity promotion in healthcare settings has the potential for health benefits at a population level, particularly in older adult populations.

Download Full-text

Accelerometer Physical Activity is Associated with Greater Gray Matter Volumes in Older Adults Without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gby010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (7) ◽

pp. 1142-1151 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Shannon Halloway ◽

Konstantinos Arfanakis ◽

JoEllen Wilbur ◽

Michael E Schoeny ◽

Susan J Pressler

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gray Matter Atrophy ◽

Age Related ◽

Gray Matter Volumes

Abstract Objectives Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable health behavior that can protect against age-related gray matter atrophy and cognitive dysfunction. Current studies of PA and gray matter failed to utilize device measures of PA and do not focus on adults >80 years. Thus, the purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine cross-sectional associations between accelerometer lifestyle PA and (a) gray matter volumes and (b) cognitive function, controlling for demographics, and health status. Method Participants were 262 older adults without dementia or mild cognitive impairment from Rush Memory and Aging Project, an epidemiological cohort study. Participants wore an accelerometer to assess total daily lifestyle PA, and completed anatomical magnetic resonance imaging to assess gray matter volumes and a neurocognitive test battery to assess cognitive function. Results Multivariate linear regression indicated that higher levels of total daily lifestyle PA was significantly related to larger gray matter volumes, F(2, 215) = 3.61, p = .027, including subcortical gray matter (β = 0.17, p = .007) and total gray matter (β = 0.11, p = .049), with no significant associations between lifestyle PA and cognitive function. Discussion These findings may inform future lifestyle PA interventions in order to attenuate age-related gray matter atrophy.

Download Full-text

Cross-Sectional Relationships of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior With Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Probable Mild Cognitive Impairment

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/pzx074 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 97 (10) ◽

pp. 975-984 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Ryan S. Falck ◽

Glenn J. Landry ◽

John R. Best ◽

Jennifer C. Davis ◽

Bryan K. Chiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

Behavioral and Mental Responses towards the COVID-19 Pandemic among Chinese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Risk and Financial Management ◽

10.3390/jrfm14120568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 568

Author(s):

Wei Liang ◽

Yanping Duan ◽

Min Yang ◽

Borui Shang ◽

Chun Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Group Living ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Living Situation ◽

Chinese Older Adults

The novel COVID-19 pandemic spread quickly and continuously influenced global societies. As a vulnerable population that accounted for the highest percentage of deaths from the pandemic, older adults have experienced huge life-altering challenges and increased risks of mental problems during the pandemic. Empirical evidence is needed to develop effective strategies to promote preventive measures and mitigate the adverse psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the behavioral responses (i.e., preventive behaviors, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption) and mental responses (i.e., depression and loneliness) towards the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese older adults. A further aim was to identify the associations among demographics, behavioral responses, and mental responses. Using a convenience sampling approach, 516 older adults were randomly recruited from five cities of Hubei province in China. Results of the cross-sectional survey showed that 11.7% of participants did not adhere to the WHO recommended preventive measures, while 37.6% and 8.3% of participants decreased physical activity and fruit–vegetable consumption respectively. For mental responses, 30.8% and 69.2% of participants indicated significantly depressive symptoms and severe loneliness, respectively. Participants’ behavioral and mental responses differed significantly in several demographics, such as age group, living situation, marital status, education levels, household income, medical conditions, and perceived health status. Demographic correlates and behavioral responses could significantly predicate the mental response with small-to-moderate effect sizes. This is the first study to investigate the characteristics of behavioral and mental responses of Chinese older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research findings may give new insights into future developments of effective interventions and policies to promote health among older adults in the fight against the pandemic.

Download Full-text

Physical activity as a health resource: a cross-sectional survey applying a salutogenic approach to what older adults consider meaningful in organised physical activity initiatives

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1080/21642850.2021.1986400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 858-874

Author(s):

Helena Ericson ◽

Mikael Quennerstedt ◽

Susanna Geidne

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Resource ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

Cognitive Function of Elderly Persons in Japanese Neighborhoods: The Role of Street Layout

American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® ◽

10.1177/1533317519844046 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 381-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mohammad Javad Koohsari ◽

Tomoki Nakaya ◽

Gavin R. McCormack ◽

Ai Shibata ◽

Kaori Ishii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Home Location ◽

Street Layout ◽

Japanese Older Adults ◽

State Examination

Objectives:The aims of this study were to examine (a) associations of two metric and space syntax measures of street layout with the cognitive function of Japanese older adults and (b) the extent to which objectively assessed physical activity mediated such associations.Methods:Cross-sectional data from 277 older adults who lived in Japan were used. Street layout attributes were objectively calculated for each participant’s geocoded home location. The Mini-Mental State Examination was used to evaluate cognitive function. Physical activity was objectively assessed with accelerometers.Results:There was a statistically significant negative association between street integration and the odds of having cognitive impairment. Objectively assessed physical activity did not attenuate this relationship.Conclusions:Our findings provide unique evidence regarding the importance of the topological aspects of street layouts in (re)designing neighborhoods to support mental illness.

Download Full-text