Cognitively high-performing oldest old individuals are physically active and have strong motor skills-A study of the Danish 1905 and 1915 birth cohorts.

Journal: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics

Volume: 122

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  The Danish Twin Registry and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. The Danish Twin Registry and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. The Danish Twin Registry and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. The Danish Twin Registry and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. The Danish Twin Registry and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: jmengel-from@health.sdu.dk.

Abstract summary 

Preserving cognitive function with age or super-aging greatly contributes to successful aging. Super-aging nonagenarians born in Denmark in either year 1905 or 1915 were classified as Cognitively High-Performing Oldest Old individuals with a five item cognitive composite score, equivalent to or better than mean middle-aged subjects. Cognitively high-performers were more physically active and had a better physical performance on e.g., Activity of Daily Living (p-value < 0.01), gait speed (p-value < 0.01) and grip strength (p-value < 0.05) compared with age-matched peers. Cognitive high-performing was also linked to lower depression symptomatology. When comparing super-agers with semi super-agers classified by Mini Mental State Examination > 27, super-agers were still more physically active and had a better physical performance (p-value < 0.05). Results suggests that physical activity is a lifestyle factor strongly associated with both semi and full cognitive super-aging.

Authors & Co-authors:  Hermansen Nygaard Tan Jeune Semkovska Christensen Thinggaard Mengel-From

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  8
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105398
SSN : 1872-6976
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Cognitive aging;Nonagenarians;Physical activity;Super aging
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
Netherlands