Associations between exercising in a group and physical and cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study using data from the Kasama Study.
Yuya Fujii, Jaehoon Seol, Kaya Joho and 4 others
PMID 33519068WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults who exercised with others had better lower-limb strength and higher overall cognitive scores than those who exercised alone.
Group exercise was associated with better function even after accounting for total activity levels, suggesting the social component matters.
Key findings
01Participants who exercised with others demonstrated significantly better lower-limb muscle strength than those who exercised alone, even after adjusting for physical activity levels.
02Those who exercised with others scored higher on attention, memory, visuospatial function, and total cognitive score compared to those who exercised alone.
03Associations between group exercise and both physical and cognitive function remained after adjusting for the amount of physical activity, indicating total activity volume alone does not explain the benefits.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality; it is unclear whether group exercise improves function or if people with better function are more likely to join groups. The study population was relatively healthy, with over 85% classified as exercisers, which may limit generalizability to more frail or sedentary older adults. Exercise habits were self-reported without validation via diaries or accelerometers, introducing potential measurement bias. The study did not account for the specific type of exercise performed, so differences in intensity or modality between solo and group exercisers cannot be ruled out as confounders.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellows.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as proof that group exercise causes better function. This is a cross-sectional study, so it is equally possible that older adults with better physical and cognitive health are more capable of participating in group activities.