Effect of Task Complexity on the Relationship between Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Older Women

Abstract

Thirty-four women ages 60 to 75 years were divided into two groups based on self-reported physical activity levels. The presence of significant fitness differences between the two activity groups was confirmed by testing all subjects on a well-established submaximal mile walking test. Both groups performed a reaction time task under two levels of task complexity: simple reaction time (SRT) and complex choice reaction time (CCRT). Time to react in milliseconds was recorded for both levels of task complexity. Analysis of variance revealed that the active group reacted faster (p< .05) than the less active group on CCRT (activeM,1.100 sec; less activeM, 1.818 sec). However, SRT times did not differ between groups (activeM, .345 msec; less activeM, .374 msec). This finding lends support to the hypothesis that cognitive task complexity influences the strength of the association between physical fitness and cognitive performance in older adults.