Interactive Relations of Executive Function, Race, and Sex with Physical Performance: A Longitudinal Investigation in African American and White Adults
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Date
2017-01-01
Department
Psychology
Program
Psychology
Citation of Original Publication
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This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is made available by UMBC for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please see http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/specoll/repro.php or contact Special Collections at speccoll(at)umbc.edu
Distribution Rights granted to UMBC by the author.
Distribution Rights granted to UMBC by the author.
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Abstract
Previous studies have shown robust, direct associations between executive functions (EF) and physical performance, as well as variation in physical performance as a function of race and sex. However, little is known about how EF relates to age-related decline in physical performance during middle adulthood, and whether this association is moderated by race and sex. Using a sample of 1,549 urban-dwelling adults (59.6% female; 59.4% African American [AA]; 39.9% living in poverty; aged 30 to 64 years at baseline) from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study, the present investigation used mixed-effects regression to examine interactive relations among EF, race, and sex with age-related decline in handgrip strength, standing balance, and lower extremity strength and endurance over four to five years. Results revealed significant two-way interactions of (1) race and age, such that Whites experienced greater age-related decline in single-leg balance and right-handgrip strength than AAs; and (2) sex and age, such that men experienced greater age-related decline in lower extremity strength and endurance than women. Additionally, results revealed a significant three-way interaction of EF, race, and age, such that lower EF was associated with different decline trajectories in right handgrip strength between AAs and Whites. Finally, results revealed that lower EF related to poorer left-handgrip strength, single-leg balance, and lower extremity strength and endurance across time points. These findings have implications for screening and intervention strategies targeting individuals at heightened risk for future physical decline, particularly those with lower EF, men, and Whites.