# When I Move, You Move: Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning Among Older Dyads in Europe

## TL;DR

This study explores how physical activity in older couples in Europe is linked to cognitive health, finding that both personal and partner activity matter.

## Contribution

The study introduces dyadic analysis to examine how physical activity in couples uniquely influences cognitive function.

## Key findings

- Individuals' own physical activity strongly predicts better cognitive function over time.
- Spouses' physical activity also positively associates with cognitive outcomes, though less strongly.
- Partner effects remain significant even after accounting for personal activity, highlighting dyadic influences.

## Abstract

This study investigates physical activity within dyadic relationships as a predictor of cognitive function using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A two-wave dyadic analysis was conducted for 33 opposite-sex couples (mean age 67.7 years). Physical activity was measured with a three-axial accelerometer, and cognitive function through verbal fluency at baseline and follow-up. Multilevel lagged dependent variable models were estimated using mixed effects in Stata Version 18/SE. Verbal fluency remained stable over time (β = .62, p < .001). Individuals’ own physical activity (steps) predicted better cognitive function at follow-up (β = .30, p < .001). Spouses’ physical activity also showed a positive association, though weaker (β = .25, p < .01). Individual activity was more strongly associated with cognitive outcomes than partner activity. However, partner effects remained significant after accounting for individuals’ own activity, indicating that dyadic influences contribute uniquely beyond personal behavior. These findings underscore the relevance of dyadic processes for cognitive health in later life. Future research should examine underlying mechanisms and evaluate couple-based interventions.