Vaz-Patto M, Bueno B, Ribeiro Ó, Teixeira L, Afonso RM. Association between handgrip strength, walking, age-related illnesses and cognitive status in a sample of Portuguese centenarians.
Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 2017;
14:9. [PMID:
28680504 PMCID:
PMC5494132 DOI:
10.1186/s11556-017-0178-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Centenarians are a growing population in Europe and present significant variability in motor and cognitive functions. The aim of our study was to characterize health status, as well as cognitive and motor functions in a group of Portuguese centenarians. In addition, our study also aimed at analyzing the relationship between cognitive functions and the burden of diseases affecting the elderly.
Methods
Fifty-two centenarians were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, short version. Walking-related parameters (velocity and time spent in the 3 m walk test), grip strength and number of age-related illnesses were also measured. The relationship between cognitive scores and time spent in the three metre walk test, velocity, grip strength and number of diseases was analysed.
Results
Cognitive scores showed a positive correlation with both handgrip strength and time spent in the three metre walk. In contrast, no association was found between cognitive scores and the presence/absence of disease, walking velocity or number of diseases present.
Conclusions
These results suggest that in centenarians, cognitive functions may be related with motor functions.
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