TY - JOUR
T1 - When I Move, You Move
T2 - Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning Among Older Dyads in Europe
AU - Himmelmann, Laura
AU - Stokes, Jeffrey E.
AU - Stuckenschneider, Tim
AU - Zieschang, Tania
AU - Boerner, Kathrin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
PY - 1990/3
Y1 - 1990/3
N2 - This study investigates physical activity within dyadic relationships as a predictor of cognitive function using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A two-wave dyadic analysis was conducted for 33 opposite-sex couples (mean age 67.7 years). Physical activity was measured with a three-axial accelerometer, and cognitive function through verbal fluency at baseline and follow-up. Multilevel lagged dependent variable models were estimated using mixed effects in Stata Version 18/SE. Verbal fluency remained stable over time (β = .62, p < .001). Individuals’ own physical activity (steps) predicted better cognitive function at follow-up (β = .30, p < .001). Spouses’ physical activity also showed a positive association, though weaker (β = .25, p < .01). Individual activity was more strongly associated with cognitive outcomes than partner activity. However, partner effects remained significant after accounting for individuals’ own activity, indicating that dyadic influences contribute uniquely beyond personal behavior. These findings underscore the relevance of dyadic processes for cognitive health in later life. Future research should examine underlying mechanisms and evaluate couple-based interventions.
AB - This study investigates physical activity within dyadic relationships as a predictor of cognitive function using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A two-wave dyadic analysis was conducted for 33 opposite-sex couples (mean age 67.7 years). Physical activity was measured with a three-axial accelerometer, and cognitive function through verbal fluency at baseline and follow-up. Multilevel lagged dependent variable models were estimated using mixed effects in Stata Version 18/SE. Verbal fluency remained stable over time (β = .62, p < .001). Individuals’ own physical activity (steps) predicted better cognitive function at follow-up (β = .30, p < .001). Spouses’ physical activity also showed a positive association, though weaker (β = .25, p < .01). Individual activity was more strongly associated with cognitive outcomes than partner activity. However, partner effects remained significant after accounting for individuals’ own activity, indicating that dyadic influences contribute uniquely beyond personal behavior. These findings underscore the relevance of dyadic processes for cognitive health in later life. Future research should examine underlying mechanisms and evaluate couple-based interventions.
KW - accelerometer
KW - cognition
KW - dyadic
KW - exercise
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029228670
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029228670#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1177/30495334261418966
DO - 10.1177/30495334261418966
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105029228670
VL - 12
JO - Sage Open Aging
JF - Sage Open Aging
ER -