A positive mindset could really help older women stay strong and active

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-03-21 02:00

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Older women who are more optimistic are more likely to maintain some of their physical abilities in older age, according to international research. The team asked nearly 6000 women aged over 65 to complete a test assessing how optimistic they were, and then tested their grip strength, mobility standing up from a chair and walking speed at four different time points over six years. The researchers say at the beginning of the study, more optimistic women were likely to have better grip strength and standing mobility but not walking time. Over the course of the study, the researchers say the more optimistic women saw slower rates of decline in standing mobility and walking time, but not grip strength. They say it's possible this means changing your mindset could improve your chances of maintaining mobility in old age.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA

Funder: This study was supported in part by the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness Dissertation Research Award. The Women’s Health Initiative is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services.

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