Open Access
Behavioral and psychosocial predictors of physical performance : MacArhur Studies of Successful Aging
Te Seeman
- Vol. 50, Iss: 4
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TLDR
Observed patterns of both decline and improvement in performance suggest that older age is not uniformly associated with declines, and predictors of better performance identified here may offer potential for effective interventions to promote more successful aging.Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Performance-based measures of physical performance are examined for an older cohort of relatively high-functioning men and women. The influences of baseline behavioral, social, and psychological characteristics on patterns of change in performance over 2.5 years are examined.
METHODS
A cohort of relatively high-functioning men and women, aged 70-79, identified in 1988 by subsampling from three community-based studies on the basis of physical and cognitive function. Baseline assessments included physical performance, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and behavioral, social, and psychological characteristics. A summary measure of physical performance was developed from tests of balance, gait, lower body strength and coordination, and manual dexterity. In-home assessments were repeated at follow-up in 1991.
RESULTS
Linear regression models were used to identify significant behavioral, social, and psychological predictors of better performance at follow-up, controlling for known sociodemographic and health status predictors. Significant, independent associations with better performance were found for participation in moderate and/or strenuous exercise activity and greater frequency of emotional support from social networks, particularly among those reporting low frequency of instrumental support. These effects remained significant independent of incident health conditions during follow-up. None of the psychological characteristics was a significant predictor.
CONCLUSIONS
Maintenance of better physical performance within a high-functioning cohort is influenced by prior exercise behavior and social network emotional support. Observed patterns of both decline and improvement in performance suggest that older age is not uniformly associated with declines. Predictors of better performance identified here may offer potential for effective interventions to promote more successful aging.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Exercise and physical activity for older adults
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko,David N. Proctor,Maria A. Fiatarone Singh,Christopher T. Minson,Claudio R. Nigg,George J. Salem,James S. Skinner +6 more
TL;DR: The evidence reviewed in this Position Stand is generally consistent with prior American College of Sports Medicine statements on the types and amounts of physical activity recommended for older adults as well as the recently published 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Journal ArticleDOI
Risk factors for functional status decline in community-living elderly people: a systematic literature review.
Andreas E. Stuck,Jutta M Walthert,Thorsten Nikolaus,Christophe J. Büla,Christoph Hohmann,John C. Beck +5 more
TL;DR: A systematic literature review of longitudinal studies published between 1985 and 1997 that reported statistical associations between individual base-line risk factors and subsequent functional status in community-living older persons revealed that some risk factors have been neglected in past research.
Journal ArticleDOI
Price of Adaptation—Allostatic Load and Its Health Consequences: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging
TL;DR: An operational definition of allostatic load is presented, along with preliminary evidence of its predictive validity in relation to salient outcomes of aging, to provide the basis for a more comprehensive assessment of major risks in the aging process.
Journal ArticleDOI
Social Support and Strain from Partner, Family, and Friends: Costs and Benefits for Men and Women in Adulthood:
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the association of social support and strain with psychological well-being and health, and investigated whether these associations depended on relationship type (partner, family, friend), and examined the buffering effects of support on strain (both within and across relationship type).
Journal ArticleDOI
Depressive symptoms and physical decline in community-dwelling older persons.
Brenda W.J.H. Penninx,Jack M. Guralnik,Luigi Ferrucci,Eleanor M. Simonsick,Dorly J. H. Deeg,Robert B. Wallace +5 more
TL;DR: Evidence that older persons who report depressive symptoms are at higher risk of subsequent physical decline is provided, and results suggest that prevention or reduction of depressed mood could play a role in reducing functional decline in older persons.
References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Exercise and physical activity for older adults
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko,David N. Proctor,Maria A. Fiatarone Singh,Christopher T. Minson,Claudio R. Nigg,George J. Salem,James S. Skinner +6 more
TL;DR: The evidence reviewed in this Position Stand is generally consistent with prior American College of Sports Medicine statements on the types and amounts of physical activity recommended for older adults as well as the recently published 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Journal ArticleDOI
Risk factors for functional status decline in community-living elderly people: a systematic literature review.
Andreas E. Stuck,Jutta M Walthert,Thorsten Nikolaus,Christophe J. Büla,Christoph Hohmann,John C. Beck +5 more
TL;DR: A systematic literature review of longitudinal studies published between 1985 and 1997 that reported statistical associations between individual base-line risk factors and subsequent functional status in community-living older persons revealed that some risk factors have been neglected in past research.
Journal ArticleDOI
Price of Adaptation—Allostatic Load and Its Health Consequences: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging
TL;DR: An operational definition of allostatic load is presented, along with preliminary evidence of its predictive validity in relation to salient outcomes of aging, to provide the basis for a more comprehensive assessment of major risks in the aging process.
Journal ArticleDOI
Social Support and Strain from Partner, Family, and Friends: Costs and Benefits for Men and Women in Adulthood:
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the association of social support and strain with psychological well-being and health, and investigated whether these associations depended on relationship type (partner, family, friend), and examined the buffering effects of support on strain (both within and across relationship type).
Journal ArticleDOI
Depressive symptoms and physical decline in community-dwelling older persons.
Brenda W.J.H. Penninx,Jack M. Guralnik,Luigi Ferrucci,Eleanor M. Simonsick,Dorly J. H. Deeg,Robert B. Wallace +5 more
TL;DR: Evidence that older persons who report depressive symptoms are at higher risk of subsequent physical decline is provided, and results suggest that prevention or reduction of depressed mood could play a role in reducing functional decline in older persons.
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