Age-related decline of cognitive resources precedes and explains the decline in physical activity.

Review written by Mike Studer info

Key Points

  1. Reduced cognitive resources may precede and lead-to, if not cause reduced physical activity.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Worldwide definitions of health have some variability, yet a commonality in definitions includes the attributes of physical, mental, and social well-being (1). It is additionally commonly agreed that physical inactivity can precipitate age-related declines in all forms of health. We see a higher rate of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes (2-4), cancer (5), depression (6), and obesity (7) with individuals that are physically inactive. Additionally, 6% to 10% of all deaths from non-communicable diseases worldwide can be attributed to physical inactivity (1).

This particular study took a unique approach and attempted to test whether a person’s level of cognitive resources explained their physical activity across the lifespan and specifically whether the age-related decline of cognitive resources in fact preceded a decline in physical activity.

6% to 10% of all deaths from non-communicable diseases worldwide can be attributed to physical inactivity.
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Our role should be to educate and empower those with lower cognitive resources to control their health outcomes.

METHODS

This study included data from the well-cited SHARE databank (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), collecting information from men and women aged 50 to 90 years of age. Both cognitive resources and physical activity were measured in the

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