Association of fear of falling with cognitive function and physical activity in older community-dwelling adults

Abstract. Affective barriers like negative affect (time-varying subjective state) or fear of falling (person-trait) may reduce daily physical activity among older adults. A group of 123 community-dwelling older adults ( Mage = 71.83, range = 64–85, 63% women) from Canada participated in a 10-day time-sampling study. We used accelerometer-assessed physical activity, assessing negative affect three times per day and fear of falling once prior to the 10-day period. Using multilevel models, we noted considerable variability in physical activity between days (activity counts: 47%; steps: 55%). We found time-varying negative associations between daily physical activity and daily negative affect. Fear of falling was not related to daily physical activity. Findings point to the merit of examining time-varying differences in subjective experiences when looking for physical activity barriers in older age.

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Physical activity and cognitive function of community Chinese elderly in Hong Kong (HK) and Guangzhou (GZ)

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610214002488 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 959-966 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elena X. F. Su ◽

Y. Q. lin ◽

S. L. Zhang ◽

Grace T. Y. Leung ◽

Linda C. W. Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Older Persons ◽

Recall Test ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Intellectual Activity ◽

Delayed Recall ◽

Elderly Chinese

ABSTRACTBackground:Some studies demonstrated that physical activity may have beneficial effect on cognitive function. The objective of the study was to estimate the association between physical activity and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly Chinese in Hong Kong (HK) and Guangzhou (GZ).Methods:In the neighborhood of HK and GZ, a convenience sample of 557 (260 in HK and 297 in GZ) older persons without dementia aged over 60 years (73.4 ± 6.5) was recruited. Physical activity was measured using a checklist. Information on physical activity participation, cognitive function, and other variables were collected. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between physical activity and cognitive function.Results:Total number of physical activities showed significant association with the delayed recall test (p < 0.01) and category verbal fluency test (CVFT) (p < 0.01). However, with further adjustment for participation in intellectual activity, the coefficients were no longer statistically significant (p > 0.05)Conclusion:Physical activity may not be associated with better cognitive function among elderly Chinese independently of other factors.

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The Relationship Between Cognitive Decline and Sedentary Time

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.618 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 191-191

Author(s):

Lorraine Phillips ◽

Mary Bowen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical Activity Intensity ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Extremity Function

Abstract Early identification of functional decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) provides the opportunity to initiate behavioral interventions to slow decline. More frequent breaks in sedentary time has been associated with greater lower extremity function. This longitudinal study examined the effect of 6-month change in cognitive function on monthly sedentary time, controlling for lower extremity function, among community-dwelling older adults with MCI. Twenty adults with Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score (MoCA) between 19-25, who were age ≥ 60 years old, and ambulatory, wore an actigraph for 6 months and participated in monthly in-person assessments. Measures included MoCA change (baseline to month 6), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB; baseline, months 3 and 6); sedentary time and physical activity intensity; and falls (monthly). The sample was 70% female, 60% non-Hispanic white, with a mean age of 77 years. Sixteen participants provided complete data for mixed-model analysis. Over 6 months, 11 falls occurred among 7 participants. The mean MoCA score declined from 22.7 to 21.9 while SPPB remained stable. Overall time spent in sedentary behavior was high (71%) and physical activity intensity was low (light and moderate combined= 26.1%). Results of multi-level analysis with sedentary time as a continuous Level-1 variable and MoCA change scores, SPPB scores, and age in Level-2 showed that negative change in MoCA (β=-0.11; p≤0.05) was associated with increased sedentary time. Given sedentary time increases as cognitive function declines, older adults with MCI could benefit from interventions designed to interrupt sedentary time as well as increase physical activity.

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Establishing content validity for a composite activities-specific risk of falls scale:linkage between fear of falling and physical activity

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02211-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jing X. Wang ◽

Lin Y. Chen ◽

Yan N. Jiang ◽

Ling Ni ◽

Jie M. Sheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Content Validity ◽

Program Effectiveness ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Specific Risk ◽

Risk Of Falls ◽

Survey Responses

Abstract Background Fear of falling (FoF) and physical activity (PA) are important psychological and behavioral factors associated with falls. No instrument quantifies the link between these two factors to evaluate the risk of falls. We aimed to design a scale linking FoF with PA (Composite Activities-specific Risk of Falls Scale, CARFS) for people with various disability levels. Methods First, we designed a questionnaire comprising 40 balance-related activities from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) for a pilot survey. Second, participants were interviewed about their activities-specific FoF degree and PA frequency. The participants comprised 30 community-dwelling older adults, hospitalized patients with strokes, and those with spinal cord injuries, each with different disability levels. Third, the content validity of the items was evaluated twice by 12 experienced rehabilitation professionals: one based on experience and the other on the survey responses. Items with a higher than moderate relevance in both evaluations were included in the CARFS. The panel of professionals discussed and voted on the contribution of FoF and PA on the CARF score. Finally, the scale sensitivity in distinguishing disability levels was analyzed to evaluate the population suitability to the CARFS. Results The CARFS included 14 activities. A five-point Likert scale was used to quantify degree of FoF (A) and frequency of PA (B). The CARF score (C), which was determined using the eq. C = A+(4-B) + A × B/2, reflected sensitivity to disability levels in most items. Conclusions The CARFS has strong content validity for measuring risk of falls in relation to the FoF and PA of people with various disability levels. It has a potential to provide a guide for designing individualized exercise- and behavior-focused fall prevention programs and enable the precise trtrun 0acking of program effectiveness as a multidimensional outcome measure.

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Physical activity and trajectories in cognitive function: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2017-210228 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (6) ◽

pp. 477-483 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Mark Hamer ◽

Graciela Muniz Terrera ◽

Panayotes Demakakos

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Executive Function ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Reference Group ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Men And Women ◽

English Longitudinal Study

BackgroundThere are limited data on physical activity in relation to trajectories in cognitive function. The aim was to examine the association of physical activity with trajectories in cognitive function, measured from repeated assessments over 10 years.MethodsWe conducted a 10-year follow-up of 10 652 (aged 65±10.1 years) men and women from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a cohort of community dwelling older adults. Self-reported physical activity was assessed at baseline and neuropsychological tests of memory and executive function were administered at regular 2-year intervals. Data from six repeated measurements of memory over 10 years and five repeated measurements of executive function over 8 years were used.ResultsThe multivariable models revealed relatively small baseline differences in cognitive function by physical activity status in both men and women. Over the 10-year follow-up, physically inactive women experienced a greater decline in their memory (−0.20 recalled words, 95% CI −0.29 to −0.11, per study wave) and in executive function ability (−0.33 named animals; −0.54 to −0.13, per study wave) in comparison with the vigorously active reference group. In men, there were no differences in memory (−0.08 recalled words, 95% CI −0.18 to 0.01, per study wave), but small differences in executive function (−0.23 named animals; −0.46 to −0.01, per study wave) between inactive and vigorously active.ConclusionPhysical activity was associated with preservation of memory and executive function over 10 years follow-up. The results were, however, more pronounced in women.

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GRIP STRENGTH AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1797 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S483-S484

Author(s):

Milan Chang ◽

Alfons Ramel ◽

Palmi V Jonsson ◽

Inga Thorsdottir ◽

Olof Geirsdottir

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Mmse Score ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background: Decline in both physical function and cognition among older adults has been associated with increased risk of dementia. Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the improvement of both physical and cognitive function. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between baseline physical function and cognitive function after 12 weeks of resistance training among older adults. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-seven community-dwelling older adults (N=237, 73.7±5.7 years, 58.2% female) participated in a 12-week resistance exercise program (3 times/week; 3 sets, 6-8 repetitions at 75-80% of the 1-repetition maximum), designed to increase strength and muscle mass of major muscle groups. Body composition, physical activity status, grip strength, cardiovascular risk factors, 6 minutes walking distance (6MWD), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were measured at baseline and endpoint. The linear regression model was used to examine the association. Results: Mean MMSE score was 27.5±2.1 at baseline and 28.1±2.2 after the exercise intervention. After the intervention, 57 declined, 55 remained the same, and 120 have improved in MMSE scores. We found that the MMSE score after the intervention was significantly associated with baseline grip strength (beta=.03, P<.05) among healthy older adults, after adjusting basic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and mobility at baseline. Conclusion: Our study found that baseline grip strength was strongly associated with cognitive function after the 12 weeks of resistance training. Muscle power, such as grip strength may play an important role in the effect of exercise intervention on cognition even among healthy independent older adults.

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PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND COGNITIVE CHANGES AMONG OLD-OLD ADULTS: RESULTS FROM 3-YEAR FOLLOW-UP PERIOD

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2556 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S694-S694

Author(s):

Yoshiko L Ishioka ◽

Midori Takayama ◽

Ikuko Sugawara

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Late Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cognitive Domain ◽

Cognitive Changes ◽

Activity Engagement ◽

Old Adults ◽

Baseline Activity

Abstract The association between activity engagement and late-life cognitive function is considered to depend on the characteristics of the activity, the cognitive processes it involves, and the life stage of participants. A better understanding of this association is required to comprehend cognitive function in old age. The present study examined the association between baseline activity engagement and cognitive changes across a 3-year period among old-old adults. We extracted data for 873 Japanese community-dwelling participants from data of the Keio-Kawasaki Aging Study. We assessed cognitive performance thrice (at baseline, 1.5-year follow-up, and 3-year follow-up) using a short version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination. For the subsequent analyses, we used three measures of cognitive function: total score, orientation, and concentration, which showed diverse individual differences. We measured the frequency of physical activity and social group participation at baseline. Using conditional latent growth curve models, we examined which baseline activity was associated with the three measures of cognitive function over 3 years. Greater physical activity was significantly related to higher rate of orientation, after adjusting for age and education (β = −.261, p < .001). Social activity was significantly related to rates of higher total cognitive score (β = −.276, p < .001) and higher orientation (β = −.207, p < .001). These findings suggest that the association between activity engagement and late-life cognitive function among old-old adults varies by activity type and cognitive domain.

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