健康相關體適能對高齡者認知功能之影響：文獻回顧

The impact of health-related physical fitness on cognitive function in older adults: A narrative review

隨年齡之增長，個體在基礎認知功能與執行功能面向上普遍出現衰退。事實上，基礎認知功能與執行功能皆在高齡族群中扮演著重要角色，其良好之表現有助於降低認知相關疾病之風險。健康相關體適能被視為影響身體功能之關鍵因素，亦是整體身體健康之指標，近年已有諸多研究探討其與高齡者認知功能之關係，然目前並未有文獻回顧從不同實驗設計上探討兩者間之關係。為此，本文將以四項健康相關體適能指標如心肺適能、肌肉適能（肌肉力量、肌肉耐力）、身體組成，及柔軟度，分別對高齡者的基礎認知功能與執行功能進行文獻回顧。經文獻回顧後發現，在橫斷性研究中，心肺適能與肌肉適能與認知功能之間呈正向關聯。相較之下，身體組成在研究中屬於調節因子之角色，諸多研究結果建議身體組成會調節身體適能與高齡者認知功能，然目前研究證據仍偏較少，故仍需更多研究進一步確認。相同的，在柔軟度與認知功能之相關研究上，目前研究數量亦較少且結果尚不一致。另一方面，介入性研究結果指出，有氧健身運動與阻力健身運動介入皆有助於提升高齡者認知功能表現。透過飲食與健身運動介入，適當的身體組成對認知功能有著較佳之效益。另外，柔軟度訓練亦可促進認知功能之表現，顯示柔軟度提升後亦會增進高齡者認知功能。綜合上述，健身運動介入對於維持或促進高齡者認知功能具有其效益。對此，本文回顧結果將可提供健康相關體適能與高齡者認知功能之研究證據，以供未來相關人員在實務上之應用與參考。

With advancing age, individuals commonly experience declines in both basic cognitive functions and executive functions, which are critical for maintaining overall cognitive health and reducing the risk of cognitive-related disorders. Health-related physical fitness is an objective indicator of physical activity. In recent years, many studies have explored its relationship with cognitive function. However, to date, no comprehensive review has examined this relationship across different experimental designs. To this end, this article will review the literature on basic cognitive function and executive function of the elderly based on four health-related physical fitness indicators, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness (muscle strength, muscle endurance), body composition, and flexibility. Findings from the Narrative review indicate that, in cross-sectional studies, both cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness are positively associated with cognitive function in older adults. In contrast, body composition has primarily been investigated as a moderating factor. Several studies suggest that body composition may moderate the relationship between physical fitness and cognitive function in the elderly; however, the current body of evidence remains relatively limited, necessitating further empirical investigation. Similarly, studies examining the association between flexibility and cognitive function are also limited in number and yield inconsistent results. On the other hand, results from intervention studies have demonstrated that both aerobic and resistance training are effective in enhancing cognitive performance in older adults. Moreover, interventions combining dietary control with physical exercise have shown that achieving an optimal body composition can yield greater cognitive benefits. In addition, flexibility training (e.g., yoga) has also been shown to improve cognitive performance, suggesting that enhanced flexibility may contribute to cognitive gains in the aging population. In summary, the evidence indicates that physical fitness interventions may play a beneficial role in maintaining or enhancing cognitive function in older adults. Accordingly, the findings of this review will provide research evidence on health-related physical fitness and cognitive function in the elderly for future practical application and reference by relevant personnel.