Chen Yaoxin, Zhan Yijun, Wang Hong, Zhang Hui, Cai Yiwen, Wang Liaoyao, Zhu Wenyan, Shen Haiyue, Pei Jian
Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Nov 3;14:984075. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.984075. eCollection 2022.
Aging is a multifactorial process associated with irreversible decline in mobility and cognitive function. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between mobility and cognitive function remain elusive. In specific, the mediating effect of muscle strength, which is essential to maintain mobility, on this relationship has yet to be clarified. Accordingly, we performed a cross-sectional study involving Chinese older adults to understand the role of muscle strength in the relationship between mobility and cognitive function. The cognitive function and physical performance of 657 community-dwelling participants aged over 65 years old were observed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, whereas physical performance, including mobility and muscle strength, was measured Timed Up-and-Go Test and knee extension strength measurement. Data were statistically analyzed using PROCESS Model 4 developed by Hayes, and 595 complete data were finally included. Physical performance (mobility and muscle strength) was significantly correlated with cognitive function ( < 0.01). Muscle strength was negatively correlated with mobility ( = -0.273, < 0.001) and positively correlated with cognitive function ( = 0.145, < 0.001). Muscle strength accounted for 20.1% of the total mediating effects on the relationship between mobility and cognitive function, which revealed the partial mediating role of lower extremity muscle strength in this relationship.
衰老过程是多因素的，与运动能力和认知功能的不可逆下降相关。然而，运动能力和认知功能之间关系的潜在机制仍不清楚。具体而言，对维持运动能力至关重要的肌肉力量在这种关系中的中介作用尚未阐明。因此，我们开展了一项针对中国老年人的横断面研究，以了解肌肉力量在运动能力和认知功能关系中的作用。观察了657名65岁以上社区居住参与者的认知功能和身体表现。认知功能采用简易精神状态检查表进行评估，而身体表现，包括运动能力和肌肉力量，则通过计时起立行走测试和膝关节伸展力量测量来测定。使用海斯开发的PROCESS模型4对数据进行统计分析，最终纳入595份完整数据。身体表现（运动能力和肌肉力量）与认知功能显著相关（<0.01）。肌肉力量与运动能力呈负相关（=-0.273，<0.001），与认知功能呈正相关（=0.145，<0.001）。肌肉力量占运动能力和认知功能关系总中介效应的20.1%，这揭示了下肢肌肉力量在这种关系中的部分中介作用。
