Cognitive impairment and physical activity in the elderly adult in a Peruvian population: exercise is a protective factor?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v70.116134Keywords:
Physical activity , elderly adult, aerobic capacity, quality of life, cognitive impairmentAbstract
Introduction: Cognitive impairment in elderly adults involves their autonomy, while the physical activity represents a relevant strategy for its prevention.
Objective: Determine the relationship between cognitive impairment and physical activity in elderly adults from a rural Peruvian population in Peru.
Methodology: Quantitative study, correlational and transversal with 80 participants. The Minimental State Examination (MMSE) test and the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire were applied. The study included descriptive statistics, Rho from Spearman and multiple lineal regression.
Results: The young elderly adults (60-74 years) were more active than the 75 years or more (p <0.001). The women outperformed the men in physical activity (p = 0.042), and the married showed higher levels of exercise than the widowed or divorced (p = 0.037). A higher educational level (p = 0.031) and the occupation in activities such as farming (p = 0.035) were associated with higher physical activity. A significant association was identified between cognitive impairment and aerobic, strength and flexibility physical activities (p< 0.001). Moreover, a positive and significant association was evidenced between physical activity and the cognitive dimensions of orientation, attention-calculus and language. In contrast, no significant associations to memory nor constructive praxis were found.
Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between cognitive impairment and physical activity in elderly adults, which highlights the importance of promoting active lifestyles as a potential strategy to preserve cognitive function and favor a better quality of life in this population.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Angela Rosario Esteves Villanueva, Gabriela Leidy Pari Calderon, Julieta Chique Aguilar, Carmen Rosa Calcina Condori, Denices Soledad Abarca Fernández, Duverly Joao Incacutipa Limachi, Sheyla Lenna Cervantes Alagón
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