Department of Human Biology, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
School of Health and Well-being, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Australia.
PLoS One. 2018 Apr 9;13(4):e0194918. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194918. eCollection 2018.
Ageing is associated with a progressive decline in physical function and cognitive performance which could result in a shift from an independent to a more dependent lifestyle. The aim of this research study was to assess the fitness, functional performance and cognitive ability in independently living older South Africans and to determine which fitness parameters and functional performance tests best explain the variance in cognitive function.
Descriptive observational study.
Older adults with a mean age 71±4.7 years (n = 70; 28 men and 42 women) were recruited. Sixty percent of the sample completed at least secondary schooling and more than two-thirds were taking medication for a chronic medical condition.
Self-reported physical activity was assessed using the Yale Physical Activity Survey. Fitness tests included the 6-minute walk test and Bicep Curls. The functional performance tests were; Static and Dynamic balance, Timed Up and Go, Sit to Stand, Grip strength and Functional Reach. The Stroop Task and 6-Item cognitive impairment test were used to measure cognitive performance. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted between performance on the novel cognitive Stroop Task and functional and cognitive tests.
We found significant relationships between the number of correct responses on the Stroop Task and scores on the 6-Item Cognitive Impairment test (-0.520, p < 0.01) and grip strength (r = 0.42, p< 0.01). The number of incorrect responses was inversely associated with functional reach (r = -0.445, p< 0.01). The final regression model included: age, dynamic balance, right arm grip strength and the score on the 6-item cognitive impairment test, and explained 44% of the variance in performance of the Stroop Task.
The results of this study showed that measures of physical function were associated with cognitive performance even in highly functioning older South African adults. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which exercise training can improve functional capacity and the effect on cognitive performance.
衰老与身体功能和认知表现的逐渐下降有关，这可能导致生活方式从独立转变为更依赖他人。本研究旨在评估独立生活的南非老年人的健康状况、功能表现和认知能力，并确定哪些健康状况参数和功能表现测试最能解释认知功能的变化。
描述性观察研究。
招募了平均年龄 71±4.7 岁的老年人（n = 70；28 名男性和 42 名女性）。60%的样本完成了至少中学教育，超过三分之二的人因慢性疾病而服用药物。
使用耶鲁体力活动调查评估自我报告的体力活动。体能测试包括 6 分钟步行测试和二头肌卷曲。功能表现测试包括静态和动态平衡、起立行走测试、坐站测试、握力和功能伸展。斯特鲁普任务和 6 项认知障碍测试用于测量认知表现。进行了双变量和多变量分析，以研究新型认知斯特鲁普任务与功能和认知测试之间的关系。
我们发现，在斯特鲁普任务中正确回答的数量与 6 项认知障碍测试得分（-0.520，p < 0.01）和握力（r = 0.42，p< 0.01）呈显著正相关。错误回答的数量与功能伸展呈负相关（r = -0.445，p< 0.01）。最终的回归模型包括：年龄、动态平衡、右臂握力和 6 项认知障碍测试得分，解释了斯特鲁普任务表现的 44%的方差。
本研究结果表明，即使在功能高度正常的南非老年成年人中，身体功能的测量也与认知表现有关。需要进一步研究确定运动训练在多大程度上可以提高功能能力以及对认知表现的影响。
