July 9, 2009 – Having a busy social life slows down the decline in physical and motor capacities of the elderly, according to a recent American study1.
Indeed, less frequent participation in social activities, such as going out to restaurants, visiting friends or volunteering, would be associated with an acceleration in the decline of motor functions, according to the results of this study.
This clinical trial was conducted with 906 elderly people who are participating in a long study on aging – Rush Memory and Aging Project – in Chicago.
For nearly five years, researchers analyzed data from a series of tests on participants’ motor functions, such as their ability to stand on one leg and on their toes, to walk in a straight line while putting one foot. in front of the other. Participants were also assessed on the number and frequency of their social activities.
According to the results, participants who had a high number of social activities had better physical abilities than the others. The researchers found that a one-point decrease in social activities accelerated the decline in motor function in participants by 33%, the equivalent of five years older than their current age.
Psychologist Louise Aubé has observed this phenomenon in her practice and in those around her. “People who keep an interest in life in general and who open up to the world are stimulated and by the same token, boost their level of bodily and emotional energy. Because maintaining a good social network increases one’s emotional and physical well-being, ”explains the psychologist.
The hypothesis of mirror neurons â € ”which activate brain cells when a person performs an action or observes another person doing the same action â €” could explain the link between social life and motor functions, say the researchers .
Carole Boulé – PasseportSanté.net
1. Buchman AS, Boyle PA et al. Association Between Late-Life Social Activity and Motor Decline in Older Adults, Arch Intern Med 2009; 169 (12): 1139-1146.
