Ageing in high functioning elderly persons: study design and analyses of behavioural and psychological factors

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Abstract

This article aims to (a) describe the study design of a 6year followup multidisciplinary research project on aging, (b) report the psychosocial characteristics of the sample in detail, and (c) evaluate agingrelated changes of health, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics in 10 youngold (age at pretest: M SD = 63.2 1.5) and 12 oldold (age at pretest: M SD = 69 2) individuals. Both age groups consist of individuals displaying a high health status, a high extent of physical activity, high levels of psychosocial properties in the dimensions of wellbeing, life satisfaction, selfconcept, body image, selfesteem, and selfefficacy, as well as a low general depression index. Psychosocial characteristics demonstrated a stable pattern over a period of nearly 6 years in both age groups with the exceptions of physical activity, satisfaction with children, general depression, and selfefficacy. Furthermore, physical selfconcept decreased in oldold adults, whereas the youngolds showed no change. We assume that a high psychosocial status and a physically active lifestyle play an important role for mastering aging successfully in two life phases, each of which has its own challenges for older individuals. The decline in the physical selfconcept of oldolds is interpreted as a first sign of subjective aging. Its association with losses in physical performance should be addressed in future studies. Finally, agingrelated changes should be monitored on an individual level in order to capture the complex dynamic of aging that is not considered in analyses of betweenperson differences or averages.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7-16
JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Issue number29
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Dec 2018

Fields of Science and Technology Classification 2012

  • 107 Other Natural Sciences

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