290. Older adults struggle with cognition but have better well-being
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
When we’re young, we want to be older, but as we get older, we wish we were young again. A new study published in the journal Psychology and Aging shows some benefits and risks for both age groups. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego studied 62 adults in their twenties and 54 adults over 60. The researchers surveyed both groups to assess anxiety, depression, loneliness, and overall mental well-being. Participants also took a number of cognitive tests while their brain activity was tracked using EEG studies. The researchers found that the young adults experienced far more anxiety, depression, and loneliness than the older adults. But while the older adults had higher levels of well-being, their cognitive function was lower.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
