Trajectories of Physical Function Decline and Psychological Functioning: The Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge)

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Abstract
Decline of physical function with age is associated with substantial health consequences. Physical and psychological functioning is linked, but the temporal nature of this association remains unclear. Three-year follow-up data from men and women ( n = 1,741), aged 68–82 years, in the longitudinal study on nutrition and successful aging (NuAge; Québec, Canada) were used. Growth curve modeling was performed to examine trajectories of a global physical performance score across time as conditioned by cognition and depression. Significant decline in physical function was observed ( p < .0001). Rate of decline in physical performance score was accelerated in the older participants (>77 years; age 2 : p < .01) but not affected by slight decline in cognition or depression. Yet, people with lower cognition level and more depressive symptoms show lower physical capacity throughout the entire follow-up period ( p < .0001). Physical function significantly declined over 3 years, in particular in the oldest group. A subtle decline in psychological health paralleled decline in physical function but did not accelerate it.

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