Abstract
Purpose Investigate the mediating effects of functional fitness on age-related cognitive decline in older adults. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods A sample of 427 community-dwelling older adults reported their medical history and sociodemographic characteristics. Functional fitness was assessed based on the sit-and-reach, grip strength, sit to stand, agility, single-leg stance time and the 6-minute walk tests. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Multilevel mediation models were applied to assess the relationship between age and cognitive status. Results In women, the relationship between age and cognitive decline (β = −0.08; P < 0.05) was attenuated by agility (β = −0.05; P < 0.05) and balance (β = −0.4; P < 0.05). However, none of the functional fitness tests affected the relationship between age and cognitive decline in older men. Conclusion Agility and balance attenuated the relationship between age and cognitive decline among older women by 50% and 40%, respectively.
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