https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4491-2485
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Abstract
Purpose
Investigate the mediating effects of functional fitness on age-related cognitive decline in older adults.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Methods
A sample of 427 community-dwelling older adults reported their medical history and sociodemographic characteristics. Functional fitness was assessed based on the sit-and-reach, grip strength, sit to stand, agility, single-leg stance time and the 6-minute walk tests. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Multilevel mediation models were applied to assess the relationship between age and cognitive status.
Results
In women, the relationship between age and cognitive decline (β = −0.08; P < 0.05) was attenuated by agility (β = −0.05; P < 0.05) and balance (β = −0.4; P < 0.05). However, none of the functional fitness tests affected the relationship between age and cognitive decline in older men.
Conclusion
Agility and balance attenuated the relationship between age and cognitive decline among older women by 50% and 40%, respectively.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This study was financed in part by the CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil). SAF was a research fellow during Ph.D. - Finance Code 001.