Association of Health Physical Fitness and Serum Vitamin D with Global Cognitive Performance in Older Persons

Abstract

In a cross-sectional design, this study investigated the association between physical fitness and serum vitamin D levels and cognitive performance in a sample of 275 community-dwelling older adults. Senior fitness test was used to assess several domains of physical fitness including upper and lower body strength, upper and lower body flexibility, and endurance. Serum vitamin D levels were measured with a direct, competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination of Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) was used to assess global cognitive performance. Pearson correlation showed that physical fitness parameters along with serum vitamin D levels were positively associated with MMSE scores. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine independent predictors of MMSE scores. Statistical significances were tested with SPSS-PC (version 18.0) at p=0.05. Pearson correlation showed that except for lower body flexibility, all the measured domains of physical fitness and serum vitamin D levels were positively associated with MMSE-based cognitive function. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that cardiorespiratory fitness and serum vitamin D levels were independent predictors for cognitive function. The current findings of the study suggest that promotion of physical fitness and serum vitamin D supplement should be incorporated in interventions against cognitive declines with normal aging.