The expansion of ageing population has gained much public attention on the importance of healthy and successful ageing,
which is absence of major chronic diseases, preserved physiological and cognitive functioning and active engagement
with life. Previous studies have found there was a significant correlation between physical fitness with cognition. However,
the relationship between physical fitness with successful and unsuccessful cognitive ageing groups are very limited. This
study was aimed to identify the significant physical fitness components that contribute in reducing risk of cognitive decline
represented as different cognitive ageing groups. A total of 300 community-based elderly aged 60 and above from the
states of Selangor, Perak and Kelantan were recruited using multistage random sampling method in this cross-sectional
study. Cognitive function of subjects was categorized into three groups, namely Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (n
= 100), Usual Ageing (UA) (n = 100) and Successful Ageing (SA) (n = 100) based on defined criteria. Senior Fitness
Tests included 2-minute step, handgrip strength, chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, 8 foot up-and-go and back scratch
were measured to determine the cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength; agility and flexibility of subjects. SA group
had significantly better performance than non-SA groups in all fitness components, except for chair sit-and-reach. After
controlling for age, gender, education years and smoking status, handgrip strength and chair stand tests were associated
with a reduced risk of MCI by 7% [OR: 0.93, 95% C.I: 0.88-0.99, p < 0.05] and 15% [OR: 0.85, 95% C.I: 0.75-0.95, p <
0.01], respectively. These findings suggest that older adults with higher upper and lower body muscular strength could
serve as protective factors for cognitive impairment. Further research is warranted to evaluate the mechanism of physical
and cognitive decline such as Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) in more detailed for the purpose for promoting
healthy and successful ageing.
There is some evidence stated that mood states might influence cognitive functioning, such as episodic memory, working memory and creative problem solving. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between mood states and cognitive functioning among older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This study involved 12 male and 37 female subjects from Klang Valley aged 60 year old and above. MCI was defined based on criteria proposed by Peterson. Cognitive functions of the subjects were accessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Digit Span, Digit Symbol Substituition Test (DSST) and Visual Reproduction; while mood states including tension, depression, anger, vigour, esteem related affect, fatigue and confusion were accessed using Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Total positive subscales score, total negative subscales score and total mood disturbance (TMD) were also calculated. There were significant positive correlations between tension (r = 0.325, p = 0.30), vigour (r = 0.235, p = 0.036), esteem related affect (r = 0.316, p = 0.034) and total positive subscales score (r = 0.307, p = 0.040) with verbal episodic memory as measured using RAVLT fifth trial. In addition, positive correlations were also observed between vigour (r = 0.228, p = 0.035) and total positive subscales score (r = 0.237, p = 0.025) with DSST. After adjusted for confounding factors, subjects who scored higher in esteem related affect (Adjusted OR = 0.390, 95% CI [0.069-0.711], p = 0.019) and tension (Adjusted OR = 0.253, 95% CI [0.075-0.431], p = 0.007) had better verbal episodic memory. Subjects who have higher total positive subscales score were also had faster processing speed (OR = 0.856, 95% CI [0.099-1.614], p = 0.028). However after adjusted for confounding factors, the relationship was not significant (Adjusted OR = 0.383, 95% CI [-0.247-1.013], p = 2.226). Older adults with MCI who had a more positive mood tend to have a better short-term verbal memory and faster processing speed.