Relationships between functional fitness and cognitive impairment in Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between each functional fitness (FF) domain and cognitive impairment (CI) in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Design

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted.

Setting

Participants were selected by multistage stratified random sampling in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, Central China, during December 2015–May 2016.

Participants

A total of 2096 (1031 male and 1065 female) adults older than 65 years were included in our study. Exclusion criteria were age <65 years, losing self-living ability, previously diagnosed with dementia by a neurological physician, severe physical pain, congestive heart failure, dizziness and uncontrolled hypertension (exceeding 160/100 mm Hg).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The Senior Fitness Test and the Mini-Mental State Examination were used to measure FF (including 30 s chair stand, 30 s arm curl, 2 min step, 8 foot up-and-go, chair sit-and-reach and back scratch) and screen CI, respectively. Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living questionnaires were administered to evaluate functional status (FS).

Results

32.16% were classified as the CI group. The results showed that the CI group had significantly lower frequency of 30 s chair stand, 30 s arm curl and 2 min step, and longer time to complete the 8 foot up-and-go, shorter chair sit-and-reach and back scratch distance than the non-CI adults (p<0.05). Except for back scratch, older adults with moderate and high levels of FF were less likely to have CI than those with low levels, adjusted by sociodemographics, chronic disease, health condition, health behaviour and FS (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The relationship between FF and CI was independent of FS decline in Chinese community-dwelling older people.

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