OriginalArticle Associations between Physical Strength , Cerebral Function and Health in Independent-Living Elderly Japanese WomenMental

Objectives: [[b eyaluate the physical strength, cerebral fun¢ tion, and mental health conditions in elderly persons, and to examine the correlation between these functions. Metheds: The subjects were 151 independent-liying elderly Japanese women, mean age 70 +15 years (+1SD; range, 60 to 80 years), with normal abilities in daily life. The health check-up was conducted from April te May 1997. Physical strength was estimated by measuring seven activities. Cerebral functions were assessed by six sub-tests of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). Their mental health status was measured by four sub-scales of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28. Results: The physical strength and almost all of the cerebral functions decreased with age. Social dysfunction and severe depression on the GHQ sub-sca]es also worsened vvith age. Physical strength vvas strongly correlated with cerebral functions after adjusting for the confounding effect of aging. There were also interrelations between physical strength and mental health. Conc]usions: This study provided important information on the correlation between physical and mental status in elderly women. Future longitudinal studies with the intervention of physical training are required to determioe whether a callsal re)ationship exists betvveen these factors.