Influence of level of activity on cognitive performance and cognitive plasticity in elderly persons.
As a result of the rapid increase in the elderly population over recent decades, the analysis of factors influencing cognitive aging has become a focus of great interest for current research. In this area, numerous papers have indicated a relation between specific psychosocial variables and the level of activity and cognitive performance and plasticity in old age. This study aimed at testing a theoretical model, which establishes relations between level of activity, cognitive performance and cognitive plasticity in old age. In this study 176 elderly persons participated and were evaluated by means of a cognitive screening test, two cognitive plasticity evaluation tests and a questionnaire on the level of activity before and after retirement. A structural equation analysis was carried out on the data, which reveal significant relations between level of activity after retirement and cognitive performance and plasticity. Similarly, a significant relation is established between cognitive functioning and plasticity. The findings lend support to studies affirming that a high level of activity protects against cognitive decline and is related to cognitive plasticity in old age.
Calero-García
M D
MD
Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain. mcalero@ugr.es
Navarro-González
E
E
Muñoz-Manzano
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires