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Cognitive functioning is more closely related to real-life mobility than to laboratory-based mobility parameters

Author

Listed:
  • Eleftheria Giannouli

    (German Sport University Cologne)

  • Otmar Bock

    (German Sport University Cologne)

  • Wiebren Zijlstra

    (German Sport University Cologne)

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that mobility depends on cognitive resources, but the exact relationships between various cognitive functions and different mobility parameters still need to be investigated. This study examines the hypothesis that cognitive functioning is more closely related to real-life mobility performance than to mobility capacity as measured with standardized laboratory tests. The final sample used for analysis consisted of 66 older adults (72.3 ± 5.6 years). Cognition was assessed by measures of planning (HOTAP test), spatial working memory (Grid-Span test) and visuospatial attention (Attention Window test). Mobility capacity was assessed by an instrumented version of the Timed Up-and-Go test (iTUG). Mobility performance was assessed with smartphones which collected accelerometer and GPS data over one week to determine the spatial extent and temporal duration of real-life activities. Data analyses involved an exploratory factor analysis and correlation analyses. Mobility measures were reduced to four orthogonal factors: the factor ‘real-life mobility’ correlated significantly with most cognitive measures (between r = .229 and r = .396); factors representing ‘sit-to-stand transition’ and ‘turn’ correlated with fewer cognitive measures (between r = .271 and r = .315 and between r = .210 and r = .316, respectively), and the factor representing straight gait correlated with only one cognitive measure (r = .237). Among the cognitive functions tested, visuospatial attention was associated with most mobility measures, executive functions with fewer and spatial working memory with only one mobility measure. Capacity and real-life performance represent different aspects of mobility. Real-life mobility is more closely associated with cognition than mobility capacity, and in our data this association is most pronounced for visuospatial attention. The close link between real-life mobility and visuospatial attention should be considered by interventions targeting mobility in old age.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleftheria Giannouli & Otmar Bock & Wiebren Zijlstra, 2018. "Cognitive functioning is more closely related to real-life mobility than to laboratory-based mobility parameters," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 57-65, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:15:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-017-0434-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-017-0434-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rob C van Lummel & Stefan Walgaard & Mirjam Pijnappels & Petra J M Elders & Judith Garcia-Aymerich & Jaap H van Dieën & Peter J Beek, 2015. "Physical Performance and Physical Activity in Older Adults: Associated but Separate Domains of Physical Function in Old Age," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Stefanie Hüttermann & Daniel Memmert & Daniel J Simons & Otmar Bock, 2013. "Fixation Strategy Influences the Ability to Focus Attention on Two Spatially Separate Objects," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(6), pages 1-8, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Julia Seinsche & Wiebren Zijlstra & Eleftheria Giannouli, 2020. "Motility in Frail Older Adults: Operationalization of a New Framework and First Insights into Its Relationship with Physical Activity and Life-Space Mobility: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Fillekes, Michelle Pasquale & Röcke, Christina & Katana, Marko & Weibel, Robert, 2019. "Self-reported versus GPS-derived indicators of daily mobility in a sample of healthy older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 193-202.

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