Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Physical Activity And Executive Function In Aging: The Mobilize Boston Study, Suzanne G. Leveille, Laura H.P. Eggermont

Suzanne G. Leveille

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between

physical activity and cognition, specifically executive function, and the possible mediating role of factors such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors, chronic

pain, and depressive symptoms.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Population-based study of individuals aged 70 and older in the Boston area.

PARTICIPANTS: Older community-dwelling adults (n5

544; mean age 78, 62% female).

MEASUREMENTS: Presence of heart disease (self-reported

physician diagnosed), pain, and depressive symptomatology

were assessed using interviewer-administered questions.

Blood pressure was measured. Engagement in physical activity was determined using the Physical Activity Scale for

the Elderly (PASE). Cognitive function was …

Comparing Pain Severity Versus Pain Location In The Mobilize Boston Study: Chronic Pain And Lower Extremity Function, Suzanne G. Leveille, Laura H.P. Eggermont

Suzanne G. Leveille

Background. This study compared measures of chronic pain, for example, number of pain sites and overall pain

severity, in relation to lower extremity function in the older population.

Methods. Six hundred older adults (mean age 77.9 years, 64% female) were queried about presence of chronic pain.

Number of pain sites was categorized as none, single site, multisite, or widespread. Pain severity was measured in

quartiles of the Brief Pain Inventory pain severity subscale. Lower extremity function was assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), a composite measure of gait speed, balance, and chair stands.

Results. Many older persons reported …