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European Review of Aging and Physical Activity

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Association between handgrip strength, walking, age-related illnesses and cognitive status in a sample of Portuguese centenarians

Authors: Maria Vaz-Patto, Belén Bueno, Óscar Ribeiro, Laetitia Teixeira, Rosa Marina Afonso

Published in: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity | Issue 1/2017

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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Title: Association between handgrip strength, walking, age-related illnesses and cognitive status in a sample of Portuguese centenarians
Authors: Maria Vaz-Patto
Belén Bueno
Óscar Ribeiro
Laetitia Teixeira
Rosa Marina Afonso
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1813-7253
Electronic ISSN: 1861-6909
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-017-0178-2

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Association between handgrip strength, walking, age-related illnesses and cognitive status in a sample of Portuguese centenarians

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Background

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Conclusions

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