The Relationships among activity lifestyle, self-reported health, and cognition in a representative sample of older adults
Date
1998
Authors
Ball, Deborah Maureen
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Abstract
The relationship of activity lifestyle and self-reported health to cognitive performance was examined in a representative population of older adults. A total of 943 community-dwelling adults (554 women; 389 men) completed three cognitive tasks (Word Recall, Vocabulary, and Letter Series) and questionnaires regarding leisure activities, and aspects of physical and mental health. Hierarchical regression analysis used to examine the predictive relationships among activity lifestyle, self-reported health and cognition revealed significant but modest effects of physical, social, and intellectual activity participation on the three cognitive tasks. Statistical control of the health and activity variables revealed significant but modest attenuation of age-related variance for Word Recall and Letter Series. Despite the representative nature of the sample, the present study did not provide evidence of a strong link between activity lifestyle, self-reported health, and cognition in later life.