Increased Control, Physical Activity Lower Subjective Age in Older Adults, Research Says

A study presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association found simple strategies to boost physical activity or feeling more in control may help older adults feel subjectively younger and improve their cognitive abilities, longevity, and quality of life, reports Medical Xpress . The researchers enrolled 116 older adults and 106 younger adults, who were asked to respond to a series of statements on the level of control they felt they had each day, and how old they felt that day. There was significant day-to-day variability in subjective age in both cohorts, and a significant association between perceived level of control every day and subjective age in the older adult group but not the younger group. "Shaping the daily environment in ways that allow older adults to exercise more control could be a helpful strategy for maintaining a youthful spirit and overall well-being," suggests Friedrich Schiller University's Jennifer Bellingtier. "For example, some interventions could be formal, such as a regular meeting with a therapist to discuss ways to take control in situations where individuals can directly influence events, and how to respond to situations that they cannot control. Smartphone apps could be developed to deliver daily messages with suggestions for ways to enhance control that day and improve a person's overall feeling of control." Bellingtier also says an intervention could take the form of giving nursing community residents the opportunity to make more choices in their daily lives so that they can exercise more control. Another study said a second approach for maintaining a younger subjective age and enjoying the associated benefits could be increasing physical activity.