Author(s): SLOBODOVA, L., MOTAHARI RAD, M.1, SCHÖN, M.1, KONECNÁ, M.5, DUBAJOVÁ, P.1, LITVÁKOVÁ, V.1, ONDICOVÁ, K.1,2, UKROPEC, J.1,2, UKROPCOVÁ, B.1,2,3,4, Institution: CENTER OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER, Country: SLOVAKIA, Abstract-ID: 2477

INTRODUCTION:
Numerous clinical studies demonstrated that higher physical fitness is associated with favourable body composition and better cognitive performance in older adults. However, it remains unclear whether these associations are domain-specific and how they differ between sexes. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between physical fitness, body composition, and specific cognitive domains in community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS:
Physical fitness of 157 older adults (M/F: 39/118, age 68±6 years) was assessed via 10m maximal and preferred walking speed (WSmax, WSpref), functional lower-limb strength (5-time Sit-to-Stand; 5STS), and upper-limb strength (hand grip). Body composition (lean body mass, fat mass, visceral adiposity) was measured using bioelectrical impedance (OmronBF511). Cognitive performance was evaluated through a battery of cognitive tests (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised, ACE-R; Auditory Verbal Learning Test, AVLT; Trail Making Test: TMT-A, TMT-B; Digit Symbol Substitution Test, DSST). To assess specific executive domains, cognitive flexibility was calculated as the Trail Making Test (TMT) B-A difference, while psychomotor speed was represented by TMT B/A ratio. Additionally, an executive composite score (ECS) was determined as the mean of standardized z-scores from the TMT-B and DSST, with TMT values reversed to ensure that higher values represent better performance (Z_score=((-1)*Z_TMT B time+Z DSST_score)/2).
RESULTS:
In the whole population, the 5STS performance showed the strongest association with global cognition (ACE-R total score) and specific cognitive domains (ACE-R: attention, memory; both p<0.01). In females, the executive composite score (ECS) was positively associated with right hand grip strength (r=0.54; p=0.0004) and negatively with visceral adiposity (r=-0.23; p=0.033). In men, executive composite score correlated with visceral adiposity (r= -0.55; p=0.01) and lean body mass (r= 0.56; p=0.01). Visceral adiposity was linked to cognitive flexibility (TMT B-A: r= 0.49; p=0.03) and psychomotor speed (DSST) (r= -0.46; p=0.05). WSmax was strongly linked to psychomotor speed (DSST) (r= 0.60; p= 0.006).
CONCLUSION:
While functional lower-limb strength was linked to cognitive performance in both sexes, visceral adiposity showed a more pronounced association with cognitive performance specifically in men. Furthermore, cognitive performance in women correlated with upper-limb strength, whereas in men, it was more linked to body composition and maximal physical capacity. Taken together, our findings suggest that the motor-cognitive interface in older adults is sex-specific.
Grant support: ADDIT-CE HorizonEurope-WIDERA, Grant agreement ID: 101087124; TEIDe, ERA4Health NUTRIBRAIN-014; FWF Austria science fund KLI–1122; POO 09I01-03-V04-00077