Walking and the Preservation of Cognitive Function in Older Populations

Prohaska, Thomas R.; Eisenstein, Amy; Satariano, William A.; Hunter, Rebecca; Bayles, Constance M.; Kurtovich, Elaine; Kealey, Melissa; Ivey, Susan L.

doi:10.1093/geront/gnp079

Cited by 58 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In contrast, we hypothesized that walking-based mobility may be only weakly influenced by the three cognitive abilities because walking predominantly takes place in familiar everyday environments, particularly in the residential neighborhood of older adults (Eyler et al 2003;Prohaska et al 2009), and is mostly executed in an automatic and routine-like manner.…”

Section: Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multidimensional view of out-of-home behaviors in cognitively unimpaired older adults: examining differential effects of socio-demographic, cognitive, and health-related predictors

2013

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Previous studies on predictors of out-of-home behavior (OOHB) have often neglected the multidimensional nature of this construct. The present study distinguished between two levels of analyzing OOHB: out-ofhome mobility seen as single behavioral units (e.g., number of places visited, action range, and walking) versus OOHBs seen as engagement in integrated, larger activity units (e.g., cognitively and physically demanding activities). We examined whether a differential relationship between these levels of OOHBs with established predictors of OOHBs, i.e., socio-demographic variables, cognitive abilities, physical functioning, and depression, exists. A sample of 100 cognitively healthy, community-dwelling adults with a mean age of 70.8 years underwent a multi-method OOHB assessment using GPS-(out-of-home mobility) and questionnaire-based (out-of-home activity engagement) measures. Predictors were assessed based on internationally implemented procedures. Regression analyses showed that walking-based mobility and engagement in physical activities could be predicted by physical functioning, whereas most effects of socio-demographic variables, such as age and gender, and of depression on OOHBs were negligible. At the bivariate level, episodic memory was related to action range, global mobility, and to cognitively demanding activity engagement, but not to walking, whereas executive function was related with physically demanding activity engagement only. However, some of these connections became weaker in the full predictor model. Findings support the notion that it is necessary to assess OOHB as a multiple-indicator construct.

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Section: Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multidimensional view of out-of-home behaviors in cognitively unimpaired older adults: examining differential effects of socio-demographic, cognitive, and health-related predictors

2013

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“…While reliant on the functioning of peripheral organs such as the musculoskeletal system, vestibular apparatus, and cardiovascular fitness, normal gait performance also depends on cortical input. Walking is the most common form of physical activity among older adults [28], is increasingly being examined as a means of health promotion and disease prevention, and has been suggested as being protective for cognitive health [9]. Although there is evidence that walking may be protective of cognitive status, there are findings that suggest that walking speed can also be used as a determinant of cognitive function [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there is evidence that walking may be protective of cognitive status, there are findings that suggest that walking speed can also be used as a determinant of cognitive function [29]. It has been demonstrated in community-based studies in older adults that cognitive decline and dementia are strongly associated with higher risk of developing subsequent slow gait speed, especially in advanced states [30][31], and lower frequency of walking in the neighborhood [9]; also, decreases in cognition and gait speed have been found to be parallel over time [32][33][34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Home-based walking programs in older persons living in the community have supported changes in quality of life and a shuttle stamina walk test [8]. The location where seniors ambulate and the intensity of the walking program have been related to cognitive status, with higher-functioning seniors ambulating more outdoors in parks and less in shopping malls [9]. Therefore, cognitive function and gait performance appear to be related [1,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relationship between cognition and gait performance in older adults receiving physical therapy interventions in the home

Whitney

Marchetti

Ellis³

et al. 2013

J Rehabil Res Dev

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Abstract-Persons undergoing physical therapy home services often have difficulty with mobility and gait. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between gait and a rating of cognitive functioning in persons undergoing home-care physical therapy services. Patients over the age of 65 (n = 11,601) seen by a home-care agency between 2007 and 2008 were included in the retrospective analysis, and 10,953 (mean +/-standard deviation age 83.2 +/-7.1; 31%) met the criteria of being able to ambulate independently or with an assistive device. All patients attempted to perform the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance plus either the Performance Oriented Measurement Assessment (POMA) or the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Mental function was scored as part of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set. A multivariate model with adjustment for age and sex identified gait performance as measured by the DGI to be independently associated with the likelihood that a patient required cognitive prompting (p = 0.03). Both the DGI and POMA scores were independently associated with requiring assistance/dependence with cognitive tasks. There was a strong relationship between cognition and gait performance in persons undergoing physical therapy interventions in the home. Changes in gait may be related to cognitive decline.

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“…Duff et al 31) also found that global cognition was related to walking speed. Furthermore, Prohaska et al 32) reported that the community setting where people walk and the intensity of walking within their neighborhood were significantly associated with cognitive status. Older adults with lower Mental Alternation Test (MAT) scores were more likely to walk in indoor shopping malls rather than in parks, whereas, those with higher cognitive function scores on the MMSE were less likely to walk in indoor gyms.…”

Section: Relationship Between Cognitive Function and Physical Fitnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical fitness, physical activity, exercise training and cognitive function in older adults

Okura

Saghazadeh

Soma

et al. 2013

JPFSM

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Cognitive impairment is a major health and social issue. Over the past decade many studies have reported that engaging in physical activity and exercise training, and a higher level of physical fitness, can postpone the onset of age-associated cognitive decline or reduce its impact. In this review, therefore, we focused on the association between physical fitness, physical activity, exercise training and cognitive function in older adults. It is assumed that physical fitness, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, walking ability, balance, reaction time and flexibility are associated with cognitive function. When considering potential determinants of age-associated cognitive decline, active lifestyles are often considered as protective. In recent years, some regular forms of exercise, including resistance training, have been reported as providing potentially useful psychological benefits. More recently, several potential mechanisms that may underlie the association between physical activity or exercise training and reduced risk of cognitive decline have been revealed.

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Walking and the Preservation of Cognitive Function in Older Populations

Abstract: This investigation provides insight into the extent to which walking is associated with preservation of cognitive health, setting the stage for future longitudinal studies and community-based interventions.

Cited by 58 publications

References 20 publications

A multidimensional view of out-of-home behaviors in cognitively unimpaired older adults: examining differential effects of socio-demographic, cognitive, and health-related predictors

A multidimensional view of out-of-home behaviors in cognitively unimpaired older adults: examining differential effects of socio-demographic, cognitive, and health-related predictors

Relationship between cognition and gait performance in older adults receiving physical therapy interventions in the home

Physical fitness, physical activity, exercise training and cognitive function in older adults

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