Associations Between Physical and Executive Functions Among Community-Dwelling Older Men and Women

Walking is a complex task requiring the interplay of neuromuscular, sensory, and cognitive functions. Owing to the age-related decline in cognitive and physical functions, walking may be compromised in older adults, for cognitive functions, especially poor performance in executive functions, is asso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of aging and physical activity Vol. 30; no. 2; p. 332
Main Authors Tirkkonen, Anna, Kulmala, Jenni, Hänninen, Tuomo, Törmäkangas, Timo, Stigsdotter Neely, Anna, Sipilä, Sarianna
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.2022
Subjects
Aged
Cognition
Executive Function
Female
Gait
Humans
Independent Living
Male
Walking - psychology
Walking Speed
cognition
gait
dual-task cost
sex differences
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Summary:Walking is a complex task requiring the interplay of neuromuscular, sensory, and cognitive functions. Owing to the age-related decline in cognitive and physical functions, walking may be compromised in older adults, for cognitive functions, especially poor performance in executive functions, is associated with slow walking speed. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between different subdomains of executive functions and physical functions and whether the associations found differ between men and women. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on data collected from 314 community-dwelling older adults who did not meet physical activity guidelines but had intact cognition. Our results showed that, while executive functions were associated with gait and lower extremity functioning, the associations depended partly on the executive process measured and the nature of the physical task. Moreover, the associations did not differ between the sexes.
ISSN:1543-267X
DOI:10.1123/japa.2021-0075