| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1904326 | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics | 2007 | 12 Pages |
As a result of the rapid increase in the elderly population over recent decades, the analysis of factors influencing cognitive aging has become a focus of great interest for current research. In this area, numerous papers have indicated a relation between specific psychosocial variables and the level of activity and cognitive performance and plasticity in old age. This study aimed at testing a theoretical model, which establishes relations between level of activity, cognitive performance and cognitive plasticity in old age. In this study 176 elderly persons participated and were evaluated by means of a cognitive screening test, two cognitive plasticity evaluation tests and a questionnaire on the level of activity before and after retirement. A structural equation analysis was carried out on the data, which reveal significant relations between level of activity after retirement and cognitive performance and plasticity. Similarly, a significant relation is established between cognitive functioning and plasticity. The findings lend support to studies affirming that a high level of activity protects against cognitive decline and is related to cognitive plasticity in old age.
