The present study used a linear mixed model analytic approach to assess the association between a combined respondent and spousal exercise score and cognitive outcomes of older adult respondents drawn from a nationally representative dataset, The Health and Retirement Study. Informed by the Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition (STAC), the present study sought to understand the role of both an individual and their spouse's aerobic physical activity in an individual's cognitive outcomes and trajectories. Utilizing longitudinal survey data collected across twelve years (N=3,189), the combined exercise status of a married couple was found to be a significant predictor of cognitive outcomes; when an interaction between time and couple exercise status was included in the model, this was also found to be a significant predictor of four specific cognitive outcomes. The highest cognitive benefit was identified among individuals where both they and their partner participated in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity, suggesting an additive effect. These findings and their implications are discussed further. / Master of Science / The present study explores how the combined exercise behaviors of a married older adult couple may predict the cognitive outcomes of one partner. Data was analyzed across twelve years and included married individuals between the ages of 65 and 95. Findings showed that the combined couple exercise status predicted outcomes in cognitive function of the respondent. Additionally, the interaction between time and the couple exercise status significantly predicted cognitive outcomes. The addition of a spouse's aerobic physical activity was beneficial to the cognitive outcomes of their partner. The cognitive benefit was highest among couples where both partners participated in aerobic physical activity. These findings and their implications are discussed further.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/110402 |
| Date | 01 June 2022 |
| Creators | Ratliff, Kathryn Georgette |
| Contributors | Adult Learning and Human Resource Development, Katz, Benjamin D., Harden, Samantha M., Roberto, Karen A., Sands, Laura P. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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