Associations of Word Memory, Verbal Fluency, Processing Speed, and Crystallized Cognitive Ability With One-Legged Balance Performance in Mid- and Later Life.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: published on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America by Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9502837 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1758-535X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10795006 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Washington, DC : published on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America by Oxford University Press
      Original Publication: Washington, DC : Gerontological Society of America, c1995-
    • Subject Terms:
      Cognition* ; Memory*; Body Height ; Cohort Studies ; Educational Status ; Humans
    • Abstract:
      Background: Cognitive integration of sensory input and motor output plays an important role in balance. Despite this, it is not clear if specific cognitive processes are associated with balance and how these associations change with age. We examined longitudinal associations of word memory, verbal fluency, search speed, and reading ability with repeated measures of one-legged balance performance.
      Method: Up to 2 934 participants in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, a British birth cohort study, were included. At age 53, word memory, verbal fluency, search speed, and reading ability were assessed. One-legged balance times (eyes closed) were measured at ages 53, 60-64, and 69 years. Associations between each cognitive measure and balance time were assessed using random-effects models. Adjustments were made for sex, death, attrition, height, body mass index, health conditions, health behaviors, education, and occupational class.
      Results: In sex-adjusted models, 1 SD higher scores in word memory, search speed, and verbal fluency were associated with 14.1% (95% CI: 11.3, 16.8), 7.2% (4.4, 9.9), and 10.3% (7.5, 13.0) better balance times at age 53, respectively. Higher reading scores were associated with better balance, although this association plateaued. Associations were partially attenuated in mutually adjusted models and effect sizes were smaller at ages 60-64 and 69. In fully adjusted models, associations were largely explained by education, although remained for word memory and search speed.
      Conclusions: Higher cognitive performance across all measures was independently associated with better balance performance in midlife. Identification of individual cognitive mechanisms involved in balance could lead to opportunities for targeted interventions in midlife.
      (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America.)
    • References:
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 Jan 1;75(1):155-161. (PMID: 30535263)
      Eur J Epidemiol. 2016 Nov;31(11):1135-1147. (PMID: 27995394)
      Neuroepidemiology. 2005;24(1-2):8-14. (PMID: 15459503)
      Hum Mov Sci. 2008 Jun;27(3):496-512. (PMID: 18226839)
      J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2021 Jan 18;76(2):229-241. (PMID: 31187137)
      J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2011 Jul;66 Suppl 1:i82-90. (PMID: 21135071)
      Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 May;64:326-45. (PMID: 26915926)
      PLoS One. 2018 Aug 22;13(8):e0201035. (PMID: 30133445)
      Mov Disord. 2008 Feb 15;23(3):329-42; quiz 472. (PMID: 18058946)
      Br J Clin Psychol. 2000 Jun;39(2):181-91. (PMID: 10895361)
      Acta Otolaryngol. 2018 May;138(5):471-474. (PMID: 29205084)
      Physiother Res Int. 1998;3(4):274-83. (PMID: 9859135)
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 Jun 18;75(7):1393-1402. (PMID: 31957799)
      Phys Ther. 2014 Aug;94(8):1123-34. (PMID: 24764071)
      J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2003 Aug;25(5):614-24. (PMID: 12815499)
      PLoS One. 2017 Jul 21;12(7):e0181698. (PMID: 28732080)
      J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2007;30(1):8-15. (PMID: 19839175)
      J Exp Psychol Gen. 2019 Dec;148(12):2104-2119. (PMID: 30896200)
      Expert Rev Neurother. 2011 Jul;11(7):1057-75. (PMID: 21721921)
      Soc Sci Med. 2009 May;68(9):1565-73. (PMID: 19269077)
      Eur J Ageing. 2013 Jun;10(2):145-157. (PMID: 23637643)
      PLoS One. 2015 Mar 03;10(3):e0119075. (PMID: 25734446)
      Psychosom Med. 2009 Jan;71(1):38-48. (PMID: 19124616)
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2019 Mar 14;74(4):519-527. (PMID: 29528368)
      J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2016 Oct 28;13(1):94. (PMID: 27793167)
      Epidemiol Rev. 2013;35:33-50. (PMID: 23349427)
      Ann Epidemiol. 2005 Sep;15(8):572-8. (PMID: 16118001)
      Exp Gerontol. 2021 Feb;144:111176. (PMID: 33279666)
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013 Jul;68(7):861-8. (PMID: 23160367)
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002 Apr;57(4):M228-35. (PMID: 11909888)
      J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2015 May;70(3):357-66. (PMID: 24192586)
      Psychol Aging. 2001 Dec;16(4):588-99. (PMID: 11766914)
      Phys Ther. 2014 May;94(5):696-704. (PMID: 24557648)
      Clin Epidemiol. 2014 Oct 03;6:343-50. (PMID: 25328418)
      PLoS One. 2020 Jul 31;15(7):e0236654. (PMID: 32735628)
      J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2015 Sep;70(5):709-17. (PMID: 24398585)
      J Epidemiol Community Health. 2011 Nov;65(11):1014-23. (PMID: 20644236)
      BMC Geriatr. 2019 Jul 5;19(1):186. (PMID: 31277579)
      Front Neurol. 2018 Oct 29;9:913. (PMID: 30425679)
      Front Sports Act Living. 2020 Apr 7;2020:00028. (PMID: 32395714)
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000 Jan;55(1):M10-6. (PMID: 10719767)
      Brain Inj. 2018;32(2):191-199. (PMID: 29182372)
      PLoS One. 2016 Apr 26;11(4):e0153469. (PMID: 27115880)
      Int J Epidemiol. 2011 Apr;40(2):516-8. (PMID: 20926370)
      Front Psychol. 2014 Jul 22;5:772. (PMID: 25101034)
      J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Jun;53(6):997-1001. (PMID: 15935023)
      J Aging Health. 2016 Apr;28(3):530-45. (PMID: 26148944)
      Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2010 Aug;11(2):53-79. (PMID: 26168413)
      Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Mar;90(3):381-7. (PMID: 19254600)
      Exp Brain Res. 2005 Aug;164(4):541-8. (PMID: 15864565)
      Int J Epidemiol. 2006 Feb;35(1):49-54. (PMID: 16204333)
      J Orthop Sci. 2009 Sep;14(5):675-85. (PMID: 19802686)
      J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Jan;71(1):109-16. (PMID: 26286604)
      Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2007 May;22(4):475-88. (PMID: 17317094)
      Stat Med. 2002 Aug 15;21(15):2287-90. (PMID: 12210639)
    • Grant Information:
      MC_UU_00019/2 United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; MC_UU_00019/1 Theme 1: Cohorts and Data Collection United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; ES/K000357/1 Economic and Social Research Council; MC_UU_00019/1 United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund; Canada CIHR; United Kingdom WT_ Wellcome Trust; MC_UU_00019/3 United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; MC_UU_12019/4 United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; FDSA; WT107467 United Kingdom WT_ Wellcome Trust; MC_UU_12019/1 United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; MC_UU_12019/2 United Kingdom MRC_ Medical Research Council; 107467/Z/15/Z United Kingdom WT_ Wellcome Trust
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Birth cohort; Cognitive aging; Epidemiology; Life course; Physical performance
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20210614 Date Completed: 20220405 Latest Revision: 20230315
    • Publication Date:
      20240104
    • Accession Number:
      PMC8974350
    • Accession Number:
      10.1093/gerona/glab168
    • Accession Number:
      34125203