What does this research mean for the field?

Consistent long-term engagement in midlife flexibility and mind-body exercises, alongside diverse late-life cognitive activities, is associated with SuperAging in physically active women. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate whether lifelong engagement in leisure activities from midlife to late life is associated with SuperAging status in physically active older women.

September 10, 2026European Journal of AgeingOpen Access

Exploring the role of leisure activities from midlife to late life in SuperAging among physically active women

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MSMelisa SchneiderováPrague College of Psychosocial Studies JMJosef ManaCzech Academy of Sciences JLJiří LukavskýCzech Academy of Sciences

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Cross-sectional study finds midlife mind-body exercise and diverse cognitive activities associate with SuperAging in older women, suggesting specific leisure habits support late-life cognition.

Key Points

To investigate whether lifelong engagement in leisure activities from midlife to late life is associated with SuperAging status in physically active older women.
Analyzed cross-sectional data from 225 women aged 80–96 who met WHO physical activity guidelines during midlife (ages 30–60).
Classified SuperAgers (N=58) using Northwestern University SuperAging Program cognitive criteria and assessed self-reported past and current leisure activities.
Performed group comparisons, multivariable regression adjusted for age and education, and Bayesian mixed models.
SuperAgers reported significantly higher midlife participation in flexibility and mind–body exercises, such as yoga or Tai Chi, than non-SuperAgers (adjusted b = −0.21, 95% CI [−0.40, −0.02], p = 0.033; unadjusted M = 0.74 vs 0.55, d = 0.30).
SuperAgers engaged in a greater variety of current cognitive activities in late life compared to non-SuperAgers (M = 3.9 vs 3.5 activities, p = 0.015, d = 0.35).
Physical activity frequency decreased with advancing age while cognitive activity increased across the entire sample, regardless of SuperAging classification.

Cite This Study

Schneiderová et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27c3058559d80afc75e7d https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-026-00949-2

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Cross-sectional study finds midlife mind-body exercise and diverse cognitive activities associate with SuperAging in older women, suggesting specific leisure habits support late-life cognition.