Relationship between physical and cognitive performance in community dwelling, ethnically diverse older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background Regular exercise training stimulates physiological adaptations to improve physical performance, reduce chronic disease risk, and slow age-related cognitive decline. Since the physiological mechanisms responsible for aging-associated cognitive decline are not yet fully understood, and training-induced physiological adaptations responsible for performance measure improvements are specific to the type (aerobic vs. strength) and intensity of training, studies are needed to assess the relationships between physical performance measures and cognitive performance in older adults. These results could be used to guide exercise prescriptions with the goal of improving age-related cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical performance measures and cognitive performance in a population of community dwelling, ethnically diverse older adults. Methods The cognitive performance of ninety independent, community dwelling participants (69 female, 21 male), aged 75 ± 9.5 years (mean ± SD) was measured with the Modified Mini-Mental State Test (3MS), Trailmaking Tests A and B (TMT A & B), and the Animal Naming test. Sociodemographic (age, sex, ethnicity, medication use, years of education) and anthropometric data were collected, physical activity was assessed with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), peak hand-grip strength, distance walked in the 6MWT, and heart rate pre-, during, and up to 5 min. post- 6MWT were measured. Forward stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed with each cognitive measure as a dependent variable. Results and Discussion Controlling for sociodemographic covariates, peak heart rate during the 6MWT (6MWT HR PEAK ) was positively correlated with performance in the 3MS ( p < 0.017), and TMT A ( p < 0.001) and B ( p < 0.029). Controlling for sociodemographic covariates, PASE was positively ( p = 0.001), and β-blocker use negatively ( p = 0.035), correlated with performance on the Animal Naming test. Also, controlling for sociodemographic covariates, PASE was positively correlated with performance on the TMT A ( p = 0.017). Here we show that higher peak heart rate during the 6MWT is positively correlated with cognitive performance in a population of community dwelling, ethnically diverse older adults (ages 60–95 years). Conclusion Higher peak heart rate during the 6MWT was found to be independently and positively correlated with cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. Although additional work is needed, these results are promising and suggest that physicians, exercise professionals, and/or fitness/fall prevention programs may use peak heart rate during the 6MWT to easily monitor exercise intensity to support cognitive health.