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The relation of education and cognitive activity to mini-mental state in old age: the role of functional fitness status

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Ihle

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Élvio R. Gouveia

    (University of Geneva
    University of Madeira
    Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute)

  • Bruna R. Gouveia

    (University of Geneva
    Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute
    Health and Social Affairs Administration Institute, Secretary of Health of the Autonomous Region of Madeira)

  • Duarte L. Freitas

    (University of Madeira
    University of Essex)

  • Jefferson Jurema

    (Amazonas State University)

  • Rui T. Ornelas

    (University of Madeira)

  • António M. Antunes

    (University of Madeira)

  • Bárbara R. Muniz

    (City Hall of Manaus, Amazonas - Municipal Secretary of Youth Sports and Leisure)

  • Matthias Kliegel

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

Abstract

It remains unclear so far whether the role of cognitive reserve for cognitive functioning in old age may differ between individuals with low, compared to those with high functional fitness status. Therefore, the present study set out to investigate the relation of education and cognitive leisure activity as key markers of cognitive reserve to mini-mental state in old age (as an indicator of the extent of cognitive impairment) and its interplay with functional fitness status in a large sample of older adults. We assessed MMSE in 701 older adults (M = 70.4 years, SD = 6.9, range: 60–91). We measured functional fitness status using the Senior Fitness Test battery and interviewed individuals on their education and cognitive leisure activity. Results showed that better functional fitness status, longer education, and greater engagement in cognitive leisure activity were significantly related to higher MMSE scores. Moderation analyses showed that the relations of education and cognitive leisure activity to MMSE scores were significantly larger in individuals with low, compared to those with high functional fitness status. In conclusion, cognitive functioning in old age may more strongly depend on cognitive reserve accumulated during the life course in older adults with low, compared to those with high functional fitness status. These findings may be explained by cross-domain compensation effects in vulnerable individuals and may (at least partly) account for the large variability in cognitive reserve–cognition relations debated in the literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Ihle & Élvio R. Gouveia & Bruna R. Gouveia & Duarte L. Freitas & Jefferson Jurema & Rui T. Ornelas & António M. Antunes & Bárbara R. Muniz & Matthias Kliegel, 2018. "The relation of education and cognitive activity to mini-mental state in old age: the role of functional fitness status," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 123-131, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:15:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10433-017-0441-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-017-0441-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Élvio Rúbio Gouveia & Bruna Raquel Gouveia & Adilson Marques & Helder Lopes & Ana Rodrigues & Miguel Peralta & Matthias Kliegel & Andreas Ihle, 2020. "Physical Fitness Predicts Subsequent Improvement in Academic Achievement: Differential Patterns Depending on Pupils’ Age," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-9, October.
    2. Andreas Ihle & Bruna R. Gouveia & Élvio R. Gouveia & Boris Cheval & Marcelo de Maio Nascimento & Lúcia Conceição & Priscila Marconcin & Miguel Peralta & Gerson Ferrari & Duarte Oliveira & Matthias Kli, 2021. "Physical Activity Dimensions Differentially Predict Physical and Mental Components of Health-Related Quality of Life: Evidence from a Sport for All Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-9, December.

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