Examining the Association Between Quadriceps Strength and Cognitive Performance in the Elderly
Wei-Liang Chen1, Tao-Chun Peng, Yu-Shan Sun
1From the Division of Family Medicine (W-LC, T-CP, Y-SS, H-FY, F-YL, L-WW, Y-WC, T-WK); Department of Family and Community Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital; and School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center (W-LC, F-YL, L-WW, Y-WC, T-WK); Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center (W-LC, F-YL); and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (T-WK).
Higher quadriceps strength is linked to better cognitive performance in older adults. This study highlights the importance of muscle strength for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Impaired muscle strength is common in older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia.
- The specific role of quadriceps strength in cognitive decline among the elderly remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between quadriceps muscle strength and cognitive performance in older adults.
- To determine if stronger quadriceps correlate with better cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 1799 participants aged 60+ from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002).
- Assessed cognitive performance using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).
- Employed multiple linear regression and quartile-based analysis, adjusting for demographics, chronic diseases, health behaviors, and nutrient levels.
Main Results:
- Quadriceps strength was significantly associated with DSST scores after adjusting for multiple covariates.
- Participants in the highest quartile of quadriceps strength scored 5.003 points higher on the DSST compared to the lowest quartile (p < 0.001).
- A significant positive trend in DSST scores was observed across increasing quartiles of quadriceps strength (p for trend < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Higher quadriceps strength is independently associated with better cognitive performance in older adults.
- Maintaining or improving leg muscle strength may be a strategy to support cognitive function in aging populations.
- Further research into the mechanisms linking muscle strength and cognition is warranted.
