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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Aging Neurosci.
Sec. Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior
Volume 16 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1453527
This article is part of the Research Topic The Open Challenges of Cognitive Frailty: Risk Factors, Neuropsychological Profiles and Psychometric Assessment for Healthy Aging View all 4 articles

Correlation of Muscle Strength, Working Memory, and Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults

Provisionally accepted
Jinlin Liao Jinlin Liao 1Jing Wang Jing Wang 2Shuqi Jia Shuqi Jia 3Zhidong Cai Zhidong Cai 4Hairong Liu Hairong Liu 5*
  • 1 Longyan University, Longyan, Fujian Province, China
  • 2 Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, Shanghai, China
  • 3 Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
  • 4 Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
  • 5 Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between muscle strength, working memory, and activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults. Additionally, it seeks to clarify the pathways and effects of working memory in mediating the relationship between muscle strength and ADL.Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 245 older adults individuals from nursing homes. We collected data on grip strength, the 30-second sit-to-stand test, the N-back task, and ADL. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, χ2 tests, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling.Results: Grip strength significantly influenced ADL (effect size = -0.175, 95% CI: -0.226 to -0.124). Grip strength also had a significant direct effect on ADL (effect size = -0.114, 95% CI:-0.161 to -0.067). The 1-back task correct rate significantly mediated the relationship between grip strength and ADL (effect size = 0.054, 95% CI: -0.084 to -0.029). The 30-second sit-tostand test significantly impacted ADL (effect size = -0.280, 95% CI: -0.358 to -0.203). It also had a significant direct effect on ADL (effect size = -0.095, 95% CI: -0.183 to -0.007). The 1back task correct rate significantly mediated the relationship between the 30-second sit-to-stand test and ADL (effect size = -0.166, 95% CI: -0.236 to -0.106).There exists a strong correlation between muscle strength, working memory, and ADL. Increased muscle strength leads to better ADL performance and improved working memory tasks. Low cognitive load working memory tasks can mediate the relationship between muscle strength and ADL. Regular physical exercise can enhance muscle strength, slow down the decline of working memory, thereby maintaining or improving ADL in older adults.

    Keywords: Muscle Strength, working memory, Activities of Daily Living, older adults, Mediation model

    Received: 23 Jun 2024; Accepted: 10 Sep 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Liao, Wang, Jia, Cai and Liu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Hairong Liu, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.