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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
6.9K
Executive functioning predicts discrepancies between objective and self-reported physical activity in older adults: a
John Pk Bernstein1, Madeline Dw Noland2, Katherine E Dorociak2
1VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
Older adults with lower executive functioning may inaccurately report their physical activity (PA) levels. This pilot study found a link between poor executive function and discrepancies in self-reported versus objectively measured PA.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) is crucial for cognitive function and mental health in older adults.
- Assessing PA involves subjective (self-report) and objective (e.g., pedometer) measures, but their agreement is inconsistent.
- Understanding factors influencing PA measurement agreement is vital for accurate health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive predictors of agreement between subjective and objective physical activity (PA) measures in older adults.
- To determine if specific cognitive abilities influence the discrepancy between self-reported and pedometer-assessed PA.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 30 community-dwelling older adults.
- Participants completed a neuropsychological test battery to assess cognitive function.
- Subjective PA was self-reported, and objective PA was measured using a 30-day wristwatch-based pedometer.
Main Results:
- Greater discrepancy between subjective and objective PA was significantly correlated with poorer executive functioning (r = -.44, p = .02).
- This association remained significant in regression analyses after controlling for age and education (b = -.54, p = .01).
Conclusions:
- Older adults with diminished executive functioning may overestimate or underestimate their physical activity.
- Executive function appears to be a key cognitive factor influencing the accuracy of self-reported physical activity in aging populations.
- Further research with larger samples is warranted to confirm these findings.
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