Association between physical activity, physical fitness and cognitive function in Thai elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Many countries are changing that access to the elderly society worldwide as same as Thailand. Age-related changes in the elderly affected functional independence, disability, morbidity, and mortality. Objective: This study examined the associations between physical activity, physical fitness, and cognitive function in the Thai elderly. Methods: 122 of the Thai elderly who were 60-74 years old and lived in community-dwelling. The participants were divided into 2 groups by sampling selection: the normal cognitive group (N=40) and the cognitive decline group (N=82). All participants were assessed sociodemographic and health questionnaires, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Senior Fitness Test (SFT), and measured the number of steps per day on a wearable smartwatch (Miband 3). Results: The mean age of the participants was 65.92 ± 4.58 years. The mean score of MoCA was 21.27 ± 4.05. There was a significant correlation between cognitive function and all analyses, except chair sit and reach, and back scratch tests. MoCA was positively correlated with biceps curl test (r =0.184, P