LE3 .A278 2023

2023

Shields, Chris
Bray, Nick

Acadia University

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Honours

Kinesiology

Kinesiology

Background. Individuals experiencing “accelerated” aging typically suffer from various age-related health issues. Cognitive dysfunction is a decline in thinking abilities, such as memory or executive function. Frailty is a state of decreased physiological reserve leading to an increased risk of poor health outcomes. Frailty and cognitive decline share a common etiology, and movement or physical activity (PA) is essential in combatting both. There has been a growing interest in overall physical activity, specifically steps per day for older adults, instead of just time spent exercising. Therefore, we set out to determine if one form of movement behaviour, the average number of steps per day (Steps) or cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), was more strongly associated with frailty and/or cognitive function. We hypothesized that both forms of movement behaviours would be significantly associated with frailty and cognition, but the relationship would be stronger for steps per day. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 29 (21♀) cognitively healthy, community-dwelling older adults. The mean age was 69 years (±6). Frailty score was ascertained using a frailty index (FI): maximum score of 56); variables included vitals, medications, comorbidities, and gait speed. Short- and long-term memory were measured via the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Short and Long, respectively. Executive function was assessed using the Stroop test (MRT) interference condition. CRF was obtained via distance completed during a six-minute walk test, and each participant wore an activPAL for seven days to determine steps. Results. Pearson correlations were conducted across all variables. CFR was negatively correlated with FI (p = 0.011; r=-0.501) and MRT (r=-0.465; p=0.029), meaning CRF increased as FI and MRT decreased, and vice versa. CRF was positively correlated with MoCA (p=0.431; p=0.031), suggesting that as MoCA increased, CRF also increased. Steps were negatively correlated with FI (p < 0.001; r=-0.701). There was no association between any other variables Conclusion. Our results suggest that CRF may better indicate the progression to both frailty and cognitive decline. Therefore, although all daily movement behaviours are essential, engaging in moderate-high intensity exercise could be more effective when simultaneously preventing frailty and cognitive function.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3987