Physiological and metabolic characterization of older adults. Especial focus on cardiorespiratory fitness and its role on cognitive function
type: CreativeWork
description: Advances in modern medicine from developing countries have caused an increase in overall life expectancy and consequently among the older adults population. Ageing is a multifactorial and multi-organic process characterized by decreases in physiological functions, among others, causing deterioration of the physical integrity, and increases in the incidence of health-related problems and non-communicable diseases. Dementia is one of the most common and relevant non-communicable diseases, and in fact, it is one of the main causes of dependency and disability in older adults. Scientific evidence supports that regular exercise has positive effects on ageing process and promotes brain health in older adults. There is a special interest on the relationship between physical fitness and brain health, particularly, the role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as a powerful health marker in different population groups. Scientific literature has clearly shown an inverse association of CRF with the incidence of many chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Therefore, to better know the factors that determine and predict CRF level is essential to develop interventions for enhancing both determinants and CRF. Since these factors have been identified in young and middle-aged adults but not clearly in older adults, additional investigation on this topic is needed. Therefore, the main aim of this International Doctoral Thesis was to analyse the physiological, metabolic and cardiovascular determinants of CRF and to develop new and specific equations to predict CRF in older adults. Additionally, the current thesis aimed to study the associations of CRF, both objectively-measured and estimated using new equations, with cognitive function in this population. The sample comprised of 92 people (41 females) between 65 and 75 years from the EFFICOM project (NCT03923712), recruited through the Public Health Care Centers of the province of Cadiz. Participants completed 4 measurements sessions…
abstract: Advances in modern medicine from developing countries have caused an increase in overall life expectancy and consequently among the older adults population. Ageing is a multifactorial and multi-organic process characterized by decreases in physiological functions, among others, causing deterioration of the physical integrity, and increases in the incidence of health-related problems and non-communicable diseases. Dementia is one of the most common and relevant non-communicable diseases, and in fact, it is one of the main causes of dependency and disability in older adults. Scientific evidence supports that regular exercise has positive effects on ageing process and promotes brain health in older adults. There is a special interest on the relationship between physical fitness and brain health, particularly, the role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as a powerful health marker in different population groups. Scientific literature has clearly shown an inverse association of CRF with the incidence of many chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Therefore, to better know the factors that determine and predict CRF level is essential to develop interventions for enhancing both determinants and CRF. Since these factors have been identified in young and middle-aged adults but not clearly in older adults, additional investigation on this topic is needed. Therefore, the main aim of this International Doctoral Thesis was to analyse the physiological, metabolic and cardiovascular determinants of CRF and to develop new and specific equations to predict CRF in older adults. Additionally, the current thesis aimed to study the associations of CRF, both objectively-measured and estimated using new equations, with cognitive function in this population. The sample comprised of 92 people (41 females) between 65 and 75 years from the EFFICOM project (NCT03923712), recruited through the Public Health Care Centers of the province of Cadiz. Participants completed 4 measurements sessions…
author: Velázquez Díaz, Daniel
language: eng
keywords: Cognitive function, older adults, physical fitness
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
date published: 2021
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:29:34Z
provider: Universidad de Cadiz
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Universidad de Cadiz

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29075