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Jyväskylä, Finland – A groundbreaking study conducted at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä has shed light on the intricacies of functional capacity in old age, revealing a concerning trend of heightened interconnectivity between various domains of physical and mental well-being. The research suggests that this tighter interlinkage could indicate a loss of system resilience, potentially leading to a collapse in functioning when faced with setbacks or challenges.
The study, which utilized network analysis, examined the interdependencies among different components of functional capacity, including mobility, sensory, cognitive, and mental functions. As individuals age, the resilience of their functional capacity system plays a pivotal role in maintaining and recovering from health adversities.
Lead researcher Kaisa Koivunen highlighted the parallel between the resilience of the functional capacity system and other complex systems, such as the economy, emphasizing that a highly interconnected system may increase vulnerability to disruptions.
“A tightly interconnected system can lead to a domino effect: a disruption in one area of functioning may spill over to the rest of the system, eventually collapsing it,” Koivunen explained.
Professor Taina Rantanen, Principal Investigator of the AGNES study, underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between interconnectedness and independence among different aspects of functional capacity. She emphasized that individuals can adapt to impairments if they have sufficient reserve capacity, but as compensatory mechanisms are depleted, resilience diminishes.
The study, part of the AGNES project funded by the European Research Council and the Research Council of Finland, involved over a thousand participants from Jyväskylä aged 75, 80, and 85. It was conducted at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and the Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), with additional funding from JYU.Well, an interdisciplinary community of wellbeing researchers from the University of Jyväskylä, and the Juho Vainio Foundation.
“Our findings underscore the importance of preserving functional capacity in aging societies to maintain a good quality of life,” Koivunen emphasized.
The research not only enhances our understanding of human health and functioning but also provides valuable insights into potential approaches for promoting resilience and well-being in older adults. As societies grapple with aging populations, the study’s implications hold significant relevance for public health policies and interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older individuals.
