Kazuki Uemura

Age‐dependent changes in physical performance and body composition in community‐dwelling Japanese older adults

The aim of this study was to describe the age‐dependent changes in the parameters of physical performance and body composition in Japanese older adults who are independently dwelling in the community. We also examined whether the age‐dependent changes differ among physical performance and body composition parameters.

The Associations among Insulin Resistance, Hyperglycemia, Physical Performance, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cognitive Function in Relatively Healthy Older Adults with Subtle Cognitive Dysfunction

Insulin resistance (IR), diabetes mellitus (DM), sarcopenia, and cognitive dysfunction are thought to be mutually associated. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of the relationships among IR, gait speed, hyperglycemia, and DM by cross-sectionally analyzing the baseline data of an interventional study for cognitive preservation with physical exercise (the TOyota Preventional Intervention for Cognitive decline and Sarcopenia [TOPICS]). The participants (n = 444) were relatively healthy older individuals who had mild cognitive impairment without dementia, and 61 of the participants had DM. Slow gait speed and hyperglycemia were associated with cognitive dysfunction, mainly in the executive function domain, whereas IR was associated with memory impairment. The participants with DM had lower general cognition and executive function. Executive dysfunction in the DM participants seemed to be partly explained by hyperglycemia and/or slow gait speed. Our findings confirmed that IR, DM, sarcopenia, and cognitive dysfunction are mutually associated in complex ways. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these associations will lead to effective strategies to prevent and treat cognitive dysfunction in older individuals.

Objectively measured physical activity and cognitive function in urban-dwelling older adults: Physical activity and cognition

Physical activity (PA) and cognition have reportedly been associated with each other. However, it remains to be elucidated what intensities of PA are most strongly associated with cognition. In the current study, we aimed to determine the association between the intensities of objectively measured PA and cognitive function.

Effects of Active Learning on Health Literacy and Behavior in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial: Health education to enhance health literacy

To investigate the effects of active learning education on health literacy, cognitive and physical function, physical activity, and dietary habits in older adults.

Behavioral protective factors of increased depressive symptoms in community‐dwelling older adults: A prospective cohort study

It remains unclear what kinds of behavior prevent the development of geriatric depression. This study aimed to elucidate behavioral predictors of increased depressive symptoms in older adults focusing on gender differences.

Association between insulin resistance and objective measurement of physical activity in community-dwelling older adults without diabetes mellitus

AIMS The main objective of this study was to determine the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA) and cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly insulin resistance (IR), in Japanese community-dwelling older adults without diabetes mellitus. METHODS Daily PA was measured by accelerometers in 388 community-dwelling older adults. IR was determined using homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Regression analyses adjusted by age and sex were performed to determine the association of light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), or total steps per day with cardiometabolic risk factors. Then, multiple regression analysis was performed with HOMA-IR as an independent variable and those factors with p < 10% in the regression analysis as explanatory variables. RESULTS Objectively measured LPA was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, and triglyceride (TG) and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). LPA was also negatively associated with IR. Total steps per day also had significant association with IR. MVPA was associated with TG, HDL-C, and IR. Multiple regression analysis showed that the association between LPA and IR was independent of other covariates, whereas that between MVPA and IR was lost after adjustment for other covariates. CONCLUSION IR was associated with LPA or total steps, but not with MVPA, in community-dwelling older adults without diabetes mellitus.