Physical Performance, Cardiovascular Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing in Older Adults Compared to Oldest-Old Residential Seniors

Background: This study analyzed physical, cardiovascular, and psychosocial health in different age groups at the far end of the lifespan. Methods: Sixty-two residential seniors participated in this cross-sectional study and were assigned according to age to either the older adults (n = 27; age: 74.8 (3.6); f: 23) or the oldest-old group (n = 35; age: 87.2 (5.0); f: 28). Gait speed, functional mobility, handgrip strength, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. Additionally, questionnaires to assess quality of life were applied. Mean between-group differences (Delta) and Hedge's g with 95 % confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Oldest-old had moderately lower handgrip strength (Delta = -31.3 N, 95% CI [-66.30; -1.65], Hedge's g = 0.49 [-0.97; 0.03]) and relevant lower gait speed than the older adults (Delta = -0.11 m/s [-0.28; 0.05], g = 0.34 [-0.89; 0.20]). All other physical parameters showed trivial differences. Very large effects were found in PWV in favor of the older adults (Delta = -2.65 m/s [-3.26; -2.04], g = -2.14 [-2.81; -1.36]). The questionnaires showed trivial to small differences. Conclusion: We found small differences in physical as well as psychosocial health between age groups with large inter-individual variance. Large differences were found in arterial stiffness, which increases with age. Exercise programs in nursing homes should consider physical, psychosocial, and cardiovascular variables more than age.

Automated summary

This study analyzed physical, cardiovascular, and psychosocial health in different age groups at the far end of the lifespan. The results showed small differences in physical and psychosocial health between age groups, with larger differences in arterial stiffness. Exercise programs in nursing homes should consider physical, psychosocial, and cardiovascular variables more than age.