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Published on: March 7, 2019
Role of physical activity in the relationship between mastery and functional health
Kerry A Sargent-Cox1, Peter Butterworth2, Kaarin J Anstey2
1Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. kerry.sargent-cox@anu.edu.au.
Purpose Of The Study:
To examine the influence of mastery, physical activity levels, and subsequent trajectories of domains of functional health across the adult life course.
Design And Methods:
We examined 8-year trajectories of physical functioning (handgrip strength) and functional health (physical [RAND PHC12], psychological [RAND MHC12], and cognitive [processing speed]) in a large Australian sample (n = 7,485 at baseline) of 3 cohorts (20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years). Within- and between-person indirect effects of physical activity on the relationship between mastery and health were examined using multilevel structural equation models.
Results:
Mastery was positively related to within-person change in physical and psychological health for all cohorts, and processing speed for the 60s. Between-person mastery was positively associated with all health domains across all cohorts. Physical activity indirectly influenced the between-person relationships between mastery and handgrip strength, physical health, and psychological health in all cohorts, and between mastery and processing speed for the 60s.
Implications:
Psychological resources are important mechanisms for functional health as they may drive adaptive behaviors such as physical activity. The within-person association connecting mastery with physical and psychological health trajectories provides promise for interventions that foster or improve a sense of mastery. The findings contribute to the understanding of complex relationships between personal resources and behaviors that aid in successful aging across the life span.
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