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The impact of leisure activities on older adults’ cognitive function, physical function, and mental health

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Sala
  • Daniela Jopp
  • Fernand Gobet
  • Madoka Ogawa
  • Yoshiko Ishioka
  • Yukie Masui
  • Hiroki Inagaki
  • Takeshi Nakagawa
  • Saori Yasumoto
  • Tatsuro Ishizaki
  • Yasumichi Arai
  • Kazunori Ikebe
  • Kei Kamide
  • Yasuyuki Gondo

Abstract

Engagement in leisure activities has been claimed to be highly beneficial in the elderly. Practicing such activities is supposed to help older adults to preserve cognitive function, physical function, and mental health, and thus to contribute to successful aging. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the impact of leisure activities on these constructs in a large sample of Japanese older adults (N = 809; age range 72–74). The model exhibited an excellent fit (CFI = 1); engaging in leisure activities was positively associated with all the three successful aging indicators. These findings corroborate previous research carried out in Western countries and extend its validity to the population of Eastern older adults. Albeit correlational in nature, these results suggest that active engagement in leisure activities can help older adults to maintain cognitive, physical, and mental health. Future research will clarify whether there is a causal relationship between engagement in leisure activities and successful aging.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Sala & Daniela Jopp & Fernand Gobet & Madoka Ogawa & Yoshiko Ishioka & Yukie Masui & Hiroki Inagaki & Takeshi Nakagawa & Saori Yasumoto & Tatsuro Ishizaki & Yasumichi Arai & Kazunori Ikebe & , 2019. "The impact of leisure activities on older adults’ cognitive function, physical function, and mental health," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0225006
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hyejin Yoon & Won Seok Lee & Kyoung-Bae Kim & Joonho Moon, 2020. "Effects of Leisure Participation on Life Satisfaction in Older Korean Adults: A Panel Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-9, June.
    2. Change Zhu & Christine Walsh & Lulin Zhou & Xinjie Zhang, 2023. "Latent Classification Analysis of Leisure Activities and Their Impact on ADL, IADL and Cognitive Ability of Older Adults Based on CLHLS (2008–2018)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Elena Dragioti & Björn Gerdle & Lars-Åke Levin & Lars Bernfort & Huan-Ji Dong, 2021. "Association between Participation Activities, Pain Severity, and Psychological Distress in Old Age: A Population-Based Study of Swedish Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Ferranna, Maddalena & Sevilla, J.P. & Zucker, Leo & Bloom, David E., 2022. "Patterns of Time Use among Older People," IZA Discussion Papers 15227, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Dong-Jin Lee & Grace B. Yu & M. Joseph Sirgy, 2024. "The Dual Effects of Passion on Leisure Wellbeing: Toward a Theory of Engagement in Diverse Leisure Activities," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(1), pages 155-177, February.
    6. Bernard Austin Kigunda Muriithi, 2024. "Activity Performance Priorities for Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Insights from Management and Staff at a Transitional Housing Facility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Soheila Shamsikhani & Fazlollah Ahmadi & Anoshirvan Kazemnejad & Mojtaba Vaismoradi, 2021. "Typology of Family Support in Home Care for Iranian Older People: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.

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