Associations between Physical Performance Tests with Cognitive Changes: The Moderating Effect of Cognitive Status

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Age-related cognitive decline is a growing concern, with physical performance identified as a potential risk factor.
• Previous research often focused on Western populations and later stages of cognitive impairment, limiting generalizability.
• Understanding these associations in diverse populations and early cognitive stages is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate longitudinal associations between physical performance and cognitive change in the Singaporean population.
• To examine cognitive change across global, executive functioning (EF)-based, and non-EF-based domains.
• To explore the moderating role of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively normal (CN) status.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 347 participants (284 CN, 63 MCI) in the Community Health and Intergenerational (CHI) study.
• Utilized a neurocognitive battery and physical performance tests: Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), Fast Gait Speed (FGS), and 30-Second Chair-Stand Test (30s-CST).
• Employed multivariate linear regression models to analyze baseline physical performance and cognitive change.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found only between Fast Gait Speed (FGS) and Semantic Fluency cognitive change.
• Most physical performance measures did not show significant longitudinal associations with cognitive change.
• Cognitive status (CN vs. MCI) significantly moderated the relationship between TUG/30s-CST and neurocognitive test outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Findings differ from previous literature, suggesting limited direct longitudinal links between physical performance and cognitive change in this cohort.
• Cognitive status plays a crucial moderating role, indicating that baseline cognitive health influences the physical-cognitive relationship.
• Future research should consider cognitive status in heterogeneous older adult populations without dementia to better understand these associations.