A1 Journal article (refereed)
Associations Between Physical and Executive Functions Among Community-Dwelling Older Men and Women (2022)

Tirkkonen, A., Kulmala, J., Hänninen, T., Törmäkangas, T., Stigsdotter, N. A., & Sipilä, S. (2022). Associations Between Physical and Executive Functions Among Community-Dwelling Older Men and Women. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 30(2), 332-339. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2021-0075

JYU authors or editors

Tirkkonen, Anna-Katriina
Törmäkangas, Timo
Sipilä, Sarianna

Publication details

All authors or editors: Tirkkonen, Anna; Kulmala, Jenni; Hänninen, Tuomo; Törmäkangas, Timo; Stigsdotter, Neely Anna; Sipilä, Sarianna

Journal or series: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

ISSN: 1063-8652

eISSN: 1543-267X

Publication year: 2022

Volume: 30

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 332-339

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2021-0075

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85243

Abstract

Walking is a complex task requiring the interplay of neuromuscular, sensory, and cognitive functions. Owing to the age-related decline in cognitive and physical functions, walking may be compromised in older adults, for cognitive functions, especially poor performance in executive functions, is associated with slow walking speed. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between different subdomains of executive functions and physical functions and whether the associations found differ between men and women. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on data collected from 314 community-dwelling older adults who did not meet physical activity guidelines but had intact cognition. Our results showed that, while executive functions were associated with gait and lower extremity functioning, the associations depended partly on the executive process measured and the nature of the physical task. Moreover, the associations did not differ between the sexes.

Keywords: older people; functional capacity; physical functioning; walking (motion); executive functions (psychology); cognition; gender differences