Cognitive Ability and Timed “8-Foot Up-and-Go Test” Performance in the Older Adult

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has demonstrated that exercise improves memory and other cognitive abilities in older adults. Cognitive abilities decline with age, even in the absence of neurological illness or injury. Furthermore, aging may be accompanied with disturbances in gait and postural instability that may be in part the result of a reduction in motor function, thereby reducing physical activity and activities of daily living (ADL's). PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between cognition and the time to complete functional mobility tasks in the older adult. METHODS: Thirty-five community-dwelling older adults, (sixteen males, nineteen females aged 73.7 ± 6.6 years), were measured for performance on the 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test and Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MS). The 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test assesses the agility/dynamic balance required in many ADL's. The Modified Mini Mental State Exam (3MS) is a brief screening measure of global cognitive function that is sensitive to Alzheimer's disease and assesses memory, attention, and language functioning. RESULTS: A Pearson product moment correlation revealed a significant negative correlation (r = −0.425, p = 0.011) between the 3MS and the 8-Foot Up-and-Go Tests. CONCLUSION: Based on these data, global cognitive function was associated with physical functioning in the older adult. Subsequent research in this area may focus on blood markers and their alteration with improved physical fitness, in an effort to elucidate the mechanism that is intrinsic to the development, connection and repair of neurons in the brain, and thereby ADL's.