A Yale University study, using over a decade of data from a large study of older Americans, found that nearly half of adults 65 and older improved in cognitive function, physical function, or both. The research challenges the common perception of aging as a continuous decline and highlights the positive trajectories of many older individuals.
Aging is often depicted as a steady decline, but new research suggests that many older adults actually improve over time. Using more than a decade of data from a large, representative study of older Americans, Yale University researchers found that nearly half of adults 65 and older showed improvement in cognitive function , physical function or both.
The improvements were consistent across the study population, and were linked to the participants' mindset about aging, according to a press release. SOME 80-YEAR-OLDS STILL HAVE RAZOR-SHARP BRAINS — AND NOW SCIENTISTS KNOW WHY 'In contrast to a predominant belief or stereotype that age is a time of continuous and inevitable decline, we found evidence that a meaningful number of older persons actually show improvement over 12 years in cognitive and/or physical health,' lead author Becca Levy, a professor of social and behavioral sciences at Yale, told Fox News Digital. The research, which was published in the journal Geriatrics, relied on data from the Health and Retirement Study, a federally supported, long-running survey of older Americans. Researchers tracked changes in cognition using global performance tests and measured physical function based on walking speed, which was seen as a 'vital sign' because of its strong links to disability, hospitalization and mortality. Over a 12-year period, 45% of participants improved either mentally or physically. About 32% showed cognitive gains, while 28% improved physically, according to the study. DOCTOR SHARES 3 SIMPLE CHANGES TO STAY HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT AS YOU AGE 'If you average everyone together, you see decline,' Levy said. 'But when you look at individual trajectories, you uncover a very different story. A meaningful percentage of the older participants … got better.' TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ A participant’s beliefs about aging appeared to influence the results, as those with more positive age beliefs were significantly more likely to show improvements in both cognition and walking speed. This remained true even after accounting for factors such as age, sex, education, chronic disease, depression and the length of follow-up. Improvements were seen even among participants who started with 'normal' levels of function, not just those recovering from injuries or illness. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP 'Individuals who have taken in more positive age beliefs ... tend to have a lower stress response and lower stress biomarkers,' Levy said. Because age beliefs are modifiable, she noted, there could be a capacity for improvements later in life. The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. It didn’t look at how muscles or brain cells change and adapt, which could help explain why people improved. Future studies should examine improvement patterns for other types of cognition, such as spatial memory, they added. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES 'In addition, although our participants were drawn from a nationally representative sample, it would be useful to examine patterns of improvement in additional cohorts that have a greater representation of different ethnic minority groups,' the researchers noted in the study. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER The authors said they hope the findings will debunk the myth that continuous physical and cognitive decline is inevitable. 'We found evidence that there could be psychological pathways, behavioral pathways and physiological pathways ,' said Levy. 'It’s common, and it should be included in our understanding of the aging process.'
Aging Cognitive Function Physical Function Older Adults Health
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Conservation group study asserts Ambler Road will cost Alaska billionsThe head of the state agency behind the road responded that it’s working to nail down a final cost, and said there are many unknowns and potential savings.
Read more »
Scientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyUniversity College London researchers have reconstructed 10-second video clips from the mice's brain activity alone.
Read more »
Age of Attraction's Libby Hints Older Man Reminds Her of DadIn a sneak peek of Netflix’s age-gap dating show 'Age of Attraction' one contestant is determined to find an older man
Read more »
Scientists Say This Nut Butter Boosts Strength in Older Adults—Here’s HowNew research suggests that peanut butter may help to boost lower-body strength in older adults. Here, experts explain how much to eat to get the benefits.
Read more »
'It should never happen': Vulnerable adults sexually assaulted inside Utah nursing homesCLICK HERE to reach out to Taylor with any story ideas or news tips.
Read more »
Passport: The Dirtiest Travel Item According to New StudyA new study reveals that passports harbor significantly more bacteria than other common travel items like shoes, luggage, and cell phones. Researchers found passports to have the highest bacterial count, highlighting the importance of hygiene while traveling.
Read more »