Higher physical fitness levels are associated with less language decline in healthy ageing

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that higher aerobic fitness levels are linked to fewer language retrieval failures, specifically tip-of-the-tongue states, in healthy older adults, suggesting fitness benefits extend to language abilities during aging.

Contribution

It provides the first evidence that aerobic fitness is associated with better language functioning, specifically reducing tip-of-the-tongue states in healthy aging individuals.

Findings

Higher tip-of-the-tongue frequency in older adults compared to young adults.

Higher aerobic fitness correlates with fewer tip-of-the-tongue states in older adults.

Fitness-related language benefits are independent of age effects.

Abstract

Healthy ageing is associated with decline in cognitive abilities such as language. Aerobic fitness has been shown to ameliorate decline in some cognitive domains, but the potential benefits for language have not been examined. In a cross-sectional sample, we investigated the relationship between aerobic fitness and tip-of-the-tongue states. These are among the most frequent cognitive failures in healthy older adults and occur when a speaker knows a word but is unable to produce it. We found that healthy older adults indeed experience more tip-of-the-tongue states than young adults. Importantly, higher aerobic fitness levels decrease the probability of experiencing tip-of-the-tongue states in healthy older adults. Fitness-related differences in word finding abilities are observed over and above effects of age. This is the first demonstration of a link between aerobic fitness and language functioning in healthy older adults.