Neighborhood active aging infrastructure and cognitive function: A mixed-methods study of older Americans.

ABSTRACT: Physical exercise benefits cognitive functioning and can protect against neurodegeneration. Neighborhood environments may be pivotal to physically active aging, and thus help shape older adults' cognitive function. This mixed-methods study investigated where older adults exercised outside the home, and whether availability of these neighborhood sites was associated with cognitive function. We thematically analyzed qualitative data from semi-structured interviews in 2015 with 125 older adults (mean age = 71) in the Minneapolis (MN) metropolitan area. Results identified nearby public parks, fitness/sports amenities, and walkable destinations as motivators for recreational exercise and active transit among participants. These findings informed quantitative analysis of the Reasons for Geograph

SUBMITTER: Finlay J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8316307 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature