Physical functioning is associated with processing speed and executive functions in community-dwelling older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical functioning and cardiovascular burden on the cognitive performance of community-dwelling older adults.


METHODS
Ninety-three adults aged 60 and older completed a medical evaluation by a geriatrician, performance-based physical tests, and neuropsychological assessments. Cognitive composite scores (memory, speed, and executive) as well as a physical functioning score were created by averaging standardized z-scores of selected tests. A cardiovascular burden index was also computed by totalling the number of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.


RESULTS
Multiple hierarchical regression analyses reveal that higher level of physical functioning was significantly associated with greater processing speed and better executive functions but was not associated with memory performance. These relations were independent of age, sex, and level of education. Cardiovascular burden was not significantly associated with any cognitive domain.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that cognition is related to simple performance-based physical tests and highlight the importance of intervention studies aimed at enhancing cognitive and physical functioning in older adults.
Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Faculté des sciences du sport, Université de Poitiers, France. desjardins.laurence@gmail.com.
Laurence
L
Desjardins-Crépeau
Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Department of Kinesiology, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Nicolas
N
Berryman
Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Thien Tuong Minh
TT
Vu
Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Juan Manuel
JM
Villalpando
Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Marie-Jeanne
MJ
Kergoat
Department of Psychology and PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Karen Z
KZ
Li
Department of Kinesiology, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada Faculté des sciences du sport, Université de Poitiers, France.
Laurent
L
Bosquet
Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Department of Psychology and PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Louis
L
Bherer
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*
Cardiovascular risk factors; Cognition; Executive functions; Physical functioning; Processing speed.