Browsing by Author "Jansson, Maarit"

Objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical and cognitive activity at different eras (young adulthood, middle age, old age) and subjective and objective cognitive functioning in elderly subjects. In addition, the change of physical and cognitive activity over time and the relationship of the activities crosswise and longitudinally were investigated. Methods. Subjects (n = 73) were healthy seniors aged 60 years or older. Level of activity at different eras of life and subjective cognitive functioning were mapped using self-report questionnaires. Objective cognitive functioning was assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests. Data was analysed statistically with correlation analyses, regression models and repeated-measures analyses of variance. Results and Conclusions. Cognitive activity especially in young adulthood was associated with better objective cognitive functioning in elderly participants. Surprisingly, the association between cognitive functioning and physical activity in young adulthood and older age was negative. Lifetime activity did not affect subjective cognitive functioning. The level of cognitive activity was highest in young adulthood and affected the activity level later in life. The level of physical activity decreased with age only indicatively. Physical and cognitive activity levels were not associated either in in cross-sectional or longitudinal analyses.