Cognition, Physical Performance, and Fall-Related Mobility Outcomes in Healthy Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Kinesiology

Background:

• Aging is associated with declines in physical and cognitive functions, impacting independence and quality of life.
• Understanding the motor-cognitive relationship is vital for preventive strategies in community-dwelling older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between physical fitness components and cognitive outcomes in older adults.
• To identify potential early markers of cognitive vulnerability using field-based assessments.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 34 sedentary, cognitively healthy adults aged 60+.
• Assessed physical fitness (strength, endurance, balance, aerobic capacity) and cognitive function (TMT-A, TMT-B, DSST, TUG_DTC).

Main Results:

• Quadriceps strength correlated with dual-task cost and executive function (TMT-B).
• Upper-limb endurance linked to attention and executive measures.
• Dynamic balance and 6-minute walk test performance associated with executive function and processing speed.
• Timed Up & Go Dual-Task Cost (TUG_DTC) strongly correlated with cognitive outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Selective motor-cognitive relationships exist in aging.
• Simple, field-based tests can serve as early indicators of cognitive vulnerability.
• Targeting lower-limb strength, balance, and aerobic capacity may enhance mobility and cognitive resilience.