Abstract
Background/Purpose: This research examined relationships between measures of gait/balance and cognition in healthy older persons to determine which demonstrate the greatest concordance and therefore may be the most effective early predictors of decline.
Methods: Participants (33 nondemented, healthy older individuals) completed measures of cognitive and physical functioning; Spearman correlation coefficients were computed.
Results: Complex measures of gait speed and balance (eg, Timed Up and Go) and cognitive measures of attention and executive functioning demonstrated the most significant relationships.
Conclusion: Rather than habitual gait speed, complex measures incorporating gait/balance appear more frequently associated with cognitive abilities and may be more effective in predicting future cognitive decline.