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Abstract
This research explores the influence of brain fitness activities on mental and physical health among older women. Data were collected from nine French and English senior centers in Montreal, Quebec. A self-administered survey was used among a sample of women (N = 257) to access brain fitness activities on the health indicators. Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) with post hoc Bonferroni t tests revealed that aerobics, strength exercises, career decisions, working for pay, participating in computer labs, learning new languages, group work, and listening to speakers are significantly related to self-reported health and chronic conditions. Laughing together, career decisions, working together on a project, and strength exercises were significantly related to the mental health indicators of overall feelings, happiness, and an interesting life. The results have implications for activity and health care practitioners and future research.
The author wishes to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of staff and faculty at the McGill Center for Research and Teaching on Women, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, especially Dr. Shree Mulay, Dr. Myriam Gervais, Blossom Shaffer, and Monica Hotter. The author also wishes to acknowledge Meika Nagai and Catherine Schwartz, students from McGill, as well as staff and directors from the senior centers, especially The Cummings Community Center for Seniors, for their assistance and help. This research was supported in part by a grant through the College of Human Services at Arizona State University and a stipend through the McGill Center for Research and Teaching on Women.