ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Aging Neurosci.
Sec. Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior
Volume 17 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2025.1641209
This article is part of the Research TopicIntertwining Paths: Sensorimotor and Cognitive Dynamics in Neurocognitive AgingView all articles
Muscle Strength, EEG Biomarkers, and Working Memory as Interacting Predictors of Cognitive Function in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Provisionally accepted
- 1Sanda University, Shanghai, China
- 2Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- 3Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- 4Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Background: Cognitive decline in older adults is a pressing public health concern, with emerging evidence suggesting that both muscle strength and neural function may influence cognitive outcomes. However, the integrative mechanisms linking these domains remain insufficiently understood. Objective: This study aimed to explore whether resting-state EEG characteristics and working memory mediate the relationship between muscle strength and global cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 137 older adults (mean age = 72.65 ± 7.75) with cognitive impairment. Muscle strength was assessed using grip strength and 30-second chair stand tests. Resting-state EEG power across six frequency bands was recorded from 16 electrodes. Working memory was evaluated using a two-back task, and cognitive function was assessed via the MoCA. Mediation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro (Model 4), controlling for age, sex, education, and BMI. Results: Grip strength showed significant direct effects on cognitive function (β = 0.399, p < 0.001), with partial mediation by both working memory (β = 0.070, p < 0.05) and resting-state EEG (β = 0.150, p < 0.01). In contrast, lower limb strength was mediated only by working memory (β = 0.078, p < 0.05), while EEG-based mediation was not significant. The overall model explained 50.7% of the variance in cognitive outcomes. Conclusion: This study highlights the distinct mediating roles of working memory and EEG features in the muscle strength–cognition relationship. Grip strength, as a potential biomarker, may reflect central nervous system integrity and serve as a target for cognitive health interventions in aging populations..
Keywords: cognitive impairment, EEG characteristics, Muscle Strength, working memory, Cognitive Function
Received: 04 Jun 2025; Accepted: 26 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Song, jia, WANG, Wang, LI, Ding, Ma and Wu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
shuqi jia, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
Xueping Wu, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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