2018 Volume 45 Issue 5 Pages 297-303
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify relationships between self-perceived age, physical function and personal level social-capital intensity in community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: A cohort of 294 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 76.3 years) participated in this study. We defined the age felt subjectively by participants using the term “felt age”, and defined the magnitude of the discrepancy with chronological age using the term “age gap score”. The discrepancy between the chronological age and felt age was calculated as the gap score by subtracting a participant’s chronological age from the felt age. These calculated scores derived from the difference were then divided by the chronological age. Other assessments included the timed up and go test (TUGT), 30 seconds chair standing test (CS-30), sit and reach test, a questionnaire comprising 25 items on a basic checklist, and intensity of personal level social capital (comprising “trust for neighbors”, “interaction” and “social participation”). Data on the relationship between age gap score and each evaluation index were analyzed.
Results: The participants’ mean felt age was 67.8 ± 9.3 years and their mean age gap score was –0.14 ± 0.12. The mean felt age was significantly lower than the chronological age (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis-adjusted age and sex, TUGT (standardized β = 0.18, p = 0.01) and intensity of personal level social capital (standardized β = –0.19, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated.
Conclusion: Young subjective age is related to good motor function and may be influenced by richness of connection with the community.
