A-2 Modifiable Physical Fitness Is Associated with Executive Function in Black Older Adults

Objective: Research examining the role of modifiable fitness variables in cognitive aging have been implemented in predominately White study samples. The present study aims to enhance the diversity of the literature by examining the relationship between modifiable physical fitness and cognition in Black older adults.

Method: Metrics of modifiable fitness and cognition were assessed in 75 healthy Black older adults from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; ages 65–93 years, X- = 73.4, SD = 6.8). Hierarchical linear regressions were implemented to examine the relationship between a composite measure of modifiable physical fitness (gait speed, grip strength, maximum forced expiratory flow) and composite measures of executive function, episodic memory, and processing speed.

Results: Modifiable physical fitness explained a significant amount of additional variance in executive function (p < 0.05) after controlling for age, sex, and education. Modifiable physical fitness was not associated with episodic memory or processing speed after controlling for demographic variables.

Conclusions: Results suggest that these course metrics of physical fitness are associated specifically with executive function in Black older adults. These findings extend the current literature by exploring the relationship between modifiable physical fitness variables and cognition in Black older adults.