Housework is Associated with Better Cognitive, Physical and Sensorimotor Functions in Community-Dwelling Older Adults – the Yishun Study

Abstract

Background: Regular moderate-to-vigorous intensity recreational physical activity (PA) protects against ill health. The relationship between non-recreational PA with ageing health is less explored, especially in high income countries. We examined the associations between housework and functional health among younger and older Singaporean community-dwelling adults. Methods: Younger (<65yrs,n=249) and older (≥65yrs,n=240) adults were randomly recruited cross-sectionally from a large Singapore residential town. Light (LH) and heavy housework (HH), recreational, occupational and transport-related PA were assessed using PA questionnaires. Participants were dichotomised into low- and high-volume LH and HH groups. Physical, cognitive and sensorimotor functions were measured using Short Physical Performance Battery, repeated-chair-sit-to-stand, gait speed, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA). Results were adjusted for level of recreational and other non-recreational PA. Findings: High housework groups had 5–8% higher RBANS score than low housework groups, among older adults only. Specifically, HH was associated with 14% higher attention score, and LH with 8–12% higher immediate/delayed memory scores. In older adults, sit-to-stand-time and PPA scores were 8% and 23% lower in high HH than low HH group. SPPB and gait speed did not differ with age or HH. LH was not associated with physical or sensorimotor function. Interpretation: Among older adults, housework is associated with better cognitive function, specifically in attention and memory. Associations between housework with physical and sensorimotor performance were intensity-dependent. In Singapore, housework PA may improve functional health among community-dwelling older adults, independent of recreation and other non-recreational physical activities. Funding: Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Singapore Declaration of Interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Ethics approval was obtained from the National Healthcare Group DSRB (2017/00212), in accordance with the relevant guidelines from the Declaration of Helsinki and the ethical principles in the Belmont Report.