Physical activity and cognitive functioning in the oldest old: within- and between-person cognitive activity and psychosocial mediators

Annie Robitaille; Graciela Muniz; Magnus Lindwall; Andrea M Piccinin; Lesa Hoffman; Boo Johansson; Scott M Hofer

doi:10.1007/s10433-014-0314-z

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Physical activity and cognitive functioning in the oldest old: within- and between-person cognitive activity and psychosocial mediators

Journal article

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Physical activity and cognitive functioning in the oldest old: within- and between-person cognitive activity and psychosocial mediators

Annie Robitaille, Graciela Muniz, Magnus Lindwall, Andrea M Piccinin, Lesa Hoffman, Boo Johansson and Scott M Hofer

European journal of ageing, Vol.11(4), pp.333-347

2014

DOI: 10.1007/s10433-014-0314-z

PMCID: PMC4295564

PMID: 25598770

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Abstract

The current study examines the role of social contact intensity, cognitive activity, and depressive symptoms as within- and between-person mediators for the relationships between physical activity and cognitive functioning. All three types of mediators were considered simultaneously using multilevel structural equations modeling with longitudinal data. The sample consisted of 470 adults ranging from 79.37 to 97.92 years of age (M = 83.4; SD = 3.2) at the first occasion. Between-person differences in cognitive activity mediated the relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning, such that individuals who participated in more physical activities, on average, engaged in more cognitive activities and, in turn, showed better cognitive functioning. Mediation of between-person associations between physical activity and memory through social contact intensity was also significant. At the within-person level, only cognitive activity mediated the relationship between physical activity and change in cognition; however, the indirect effect was small. Depressive symptomatology was not found to significantly mediate within- or between-person effects on cognitive change. Our findings highlight the implications of physical activity participation for the prevention of cognitive decline and the importance of meditational processes at the between-person level. Physical activity can provide older adults with an avenue to make new friendships and engage in more cognitive activities which, in turn, attenuates cognitive decline.

Cognitive decline

Physical activity

Aging

Depression

Cognitive activity

Mediation

Multilevel structural equation modeling

Original Investigation

Social support

Details

Title: Subtitle: Physical activity and cognitive functioning in the oldest old: within- and between-person cognitive activity and psychosocial mediators
Creators: Annie Robitaille - Victoria, BC V8W 3P5 Canada
Graciela Muniz - London, WC1B 5JU UK
Magnus Lindwall - 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Andrea M Piccinin - Victoria, BC V8W 3P5 Canada
Lesa Hoffman - Lincoln, NE 68588-0308 USA
Boo Johansson - 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
Scott M Hofer - Victoria, BC V8W 3P5 Canada
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: European journal of ageing, Vol.11(4), pp.333-347
DOI: 10.1007/s10433-014-0314-z
PMID: 25598770
PMCID: PMC4295564
NLM abbreviation: Eur J Ageing
ISSN: 1613-9372
eISSN: 1613-9380
Publisher: Springer Netherlands; Dordrecht
Language: English
Date published: 2014
Academic Unit: Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Record Identifier: 9983993320402771

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