A comparison of cardiovascular fitness and respiratory muscle strength among healthy older adults and older adults with cognitive impairment

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies have been reported that age-related cognitive decline. One factor that might attenuated age-related cognitive declined is cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) which is abilities to perform physical activity. Further, Structural and functional changes in human brain are related to CRF. However, little is known regarding the differences between older adults with and without cognitive impairment in CRF.

Methods: A cross sectional study was designed. One hundred fifty-six older adults both males and females aged > 60 years olds were asked to complete the Thai mini mental state examination (Thai- MMSE) which is cognitive impairment screening test.  Seventy-eight Thai healthy older adults and 78 Thai older adults with cognitive impairment were then performed 6-minute walk test. Further, respiratory pressure meter was measured maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). To analyses whether 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), MIP and MEP differed in older adults, t-tests were computed.

Results: There were significant differences in the 6-MWD, MIP, and MEP. Compare with the healthy elderly, older adults with cognitive impairment exhibited lower 6-MWD, MIP and MEP (-145.92 meters, -25.45 cmH₂O and -25.72 cmH₂O, respectively).

Discussion and conclusion: Significant different was observed in CRF and respiratory muscle strength among healthy elderly and older adults with cognitive impairment. Therefore, poor cardiovascular function and poor ventilation might be found in older adults with cognitive impairment.