Research Topic Highlights
This collection of studies explores various factors influencing physical function, mobility, mental and cognitive health, as well as healthy aging in older adults, adopting international perspectives and addressing diverse contexts such as Brazil, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan, Côte d'Ivoire, and the United States. Studies in this collection highlight innovative and accessible exercise approaches, including home-based "exercise snacking" and Tai-chi snacking programs designed to improve physical and mental well-being and mitigate barriers often encountered by older adults. Multimorbidity and depressive symptoms were identified as considerably elevating the risk of functional disabilities in daily living activities among Brazilian older adults, while research from Portugal emphasized demographic and psychological correlates of functional decline and dependence in long-term care settings. Additionally, a novel multimodal lower-limb functional assessment displayed potential as a reliable and valid measure for monitoring mobility limitations. Neighborhood walkability was found to be associated with reduced cognitive impairment, mediated partially by increased physical activity in Brazil. Studies also elucidated key socio-cultural and lifestyle determinants of healthy aging, showcasing distinct aging experiences and dietary habits across socio-economic contexts in Japan and Côte d'Ivoire. Furthermore, carefully structured COVID-19 booster vaccinations notably benefited humoral immune response and neutralization in elderly age groups, reflecting the importance of vaccination strategies in elderly populations. Finally, self-care and health-promoting behaviors emerged as crucial predictors of maintained mobility, independence in daily activities, and survival in older age, underscoring their critical role in aging populations' longevity and quality of life. These collective findings deepen the understanding of multi-dimensional factors shaping aging trajectories and underscore the value of targeted interventions and preventative strategies to enhance elder health and autonomy.
Context and Scope
The world is facing a longevity revolution, with most countries having an ever-growing aged population, with important socioeconomic and health implications. The absolute majority has a chronic health condition in old age that admits control, without a cure, which often leads to disability. The modern concept of successful aging is associated with being able to live an independent and autonomous life, not necessarily free of any disease. Public health in this paradigm should look at interventions that prevent functional loss both in physical and mental terms thus promoting quality of life. Health promotion appears to be the main strategy to preserve functional capacity, with policies to increase physical activity, stimulate cognition, change harmful eating habits, and promote social interaction, and the rational use of drugs to control polypharmacy. Research should seek individual determinants of functional loss in genetic, immunological, metabolic, clinical, psychological and social terms.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together evidence regarding risk factors for functional capacity loss among the aged and existing intervention studies aimed at evaluating effective interventions to preserve or improve functional capacity elders on a population basis.
Scope and information for Authors
The scope of this research topic covers the search for risk or preventative factors for loss of functionality in old age. These manuscripts can address, but are not limited to, reviews, descriptive, and intervention studies on the following topics:
• Impact of physical inactivity/activity
• Presence of comorbidities
• Metabolic syndrome/endocrinal problems
• Impact of poor nutrition/improved nutrition
• Mild cognitive impairment/ dementia
• How social isolation, poverty or education can impact functionality with age
Research Topic Highlights
This collection of studies explores various factors influencing physical function, mobility, mental and cognitive health, as well as healthy aging in older adults, adopting international perspectives and addressing diverse contexts such as Brazil, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan, Côte d'Ivoire, and the United States. Studies in this collection highlight innovative and accessible exercise approaches, including home-based "exercise snacking" and Tai-chi snacking programs designed to improve physical and mental well-being and mitigate barriers often encountered by older adults. Multimorbidity and depressive symptoms were identified as considerably elevating the risk of functional disabilities in daily living activities among Brazilian older adults, while research from Portugal emphasized demographic and psychological correlates of functional decline and dependence in long-term care settings. Additionally, a novel multimodal lower-limb functional assessment displayed potential as a reliable and valid measure for monitoring mobility limitations. Neighborhood walkability was found to be associated with reduced cognitive impairment, mediated partially by increased physical activity in Brazil. Studies also elucidated key socio-cultural and lifestyle determinants of healthy aging, showcasing distinct aging experiences and dietary habits across socio-economic contexts in Japan and Côte d'Ivoire. Furthermore, carefully structured COVID-19 booster vaccinations notably benefited humoral immune response and neutralization in elderly age groups, reflecting the importance of vaccination strategies in elderly populations. Finally, self-care and health-promoting behaviors emerged as crucial predictors of maintained mobility, independence in daily activities, and survival in older age, underscoring their critical role in aging populations' longevity and quality of life. These collective findings deepen the understanding of multi-dimensional factors shaping aging trajectories and underscore the value of targeted interventions and preventative strategies to enhance elder health and autonomy.
Context and Scope
The world is facing a longevity revolution, with most countries having an ever-growing aged population, with important socioeconomic and health implications. The absolute majority has a chronic health condition in old age that admits control, without a cure, which often leads to disability. The modern concept of successful aging is associated with being able to live an independent and autonomous life, not necessarily free of any disease. Public health in this paradigm should look at interventions that prevent functional loss both in physical and mental terms thus promoting quality of life. Health promotion appears to be the main strategy to preserve functional capacity, with policies to increase physical activity, stimulate cognition, change harmful eating habits, and promote social interaction, and the rational use of drugs to control polypharmacy. Research should seek individual determinants of functional loss in genetic, immunological, metabolic, clinical, psychological and social terms.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together evidence regarding risk factors for functional capacity loss among the aged and existing intervention studies aimed at evaluating effective interventions to preserve or improve functional capacity elders on a population basis.
Scope and information for Authors
The scope of this research topic covers the search for risk or preventative factors for loss of functionality in old age. These manuscripts can address, but are not limited to, reviews, descriptive, and intervention studies on the following topics:
• Impact of physical inactivity/activity
• Presence of comorbidities
• Metabolic syndrome/endocrinal problems
• Impact of poor nutrition/improved nutrition
• Mild cognitive impairment/ dementia
• How social isolation, poverty or education can impact functionality with age
