history at a glance
- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh recruited 1,800 people over the age of 65 and had them wear exercise trackers on their wrists for seven days.
- Participants then completed questionnaires that measured depression symptoms and cognitive function.
- The research found that more than 37 percent of participants who had “robust patterns” performed better on cognitive tests and showed fewer depressive symptoms.
Older Americans who develop routines and are active throughout the day are happier than their peers with more erratic schedules, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh recruited 1,800 people over the age of 65 and had them wear exercise trackers on their wrists for seven days before completing questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression and cognitive function.
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The research found that more than 37 percent of participants who had “robust patterns” performed better on cognitive tests. They also showed fewer depressive symptoms.
“Many older adults had strong patterns: They get up before 7 a.m. on average and keep going; they remain active for about 15 hours each day,” study senior author Stephen Smagula, an assistant professor of psychiatry and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, said in a statement. Press release.
“They also tend to follow the same pattern day after day. Lo and behold, those same adults were happier, less depressed, and had better cognitive function than other participants,” she added.
About a third of study participants who woke up later in the morning and finished their activities earlier in the evening reported more symptoms of depression and poorer cognition despite having consistent routines.
“People often think that the intensity of activity is important for health, but it might be the duration of activity that matters more,” Smagula said. “This is a different way of thinking about activity: You may not need to sprint or run a marathon, but just stay engaged in activities throughout the day.”
About 30 percent of study participants who had erratic daily schedules had the worst test scores and reported the highest rate of depression.
Smagula said that simple time changes to reset the body’s clock can improve overall health.
Health care professional note a myriad of benefits for older people who develop routines, including better sleep, feelings of security, and reduced stress and anxiety. Establishing routines could also allow older people to gain a sense of autonomy in their lives.
