Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41835028›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in sports and active living2026

The interplay between cognitive, affective, and physical activity correlates in older adults.

Alessandro Geraci, Giovanni Angelo Navarra, Antonella D'Amico, Carla La Rizza, Laura Di Domenico, Vincenzo Di Noto, Antonino Scardina, Garden Tabacchi, Marianna Bellafiore

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in sports and active living, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Alessandro Geraci *Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Giovanni Angelo Navarra *Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Antonella D'AmicoDepartment of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Carla La RizzaCentro Studi Internazionale MetaIntelligenze, Palermo, Italy.
Laura Di DomenicoCentro Studi Internazionale MetaIntelligenze, Palermo, Italy.
Vincenzo Di NotoAzienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Antonino ScardinaDepartment of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Garden TabacchiDepartment of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Marianna BellafioreDepartment of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The global increase in the older adult population highlights the importance of strategies to promote healthy aging, with physical activity representing one of the most effective factor. This study explored the interplay between physical activity, cognitive functioning, emotional functioning, and psychological well-being in older adults. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 178 autonomous older adults. Participants completed standardized assessments of physical activity (IPAQ), cognitive functioning (MMSE, CDT, Stroop, and Digit Span), emotional functioning (MSCEIT, meta-emotional beliefs, and emotional self-concept), and psychological well-being (PWBS). Results: Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between physical activity and cognitive performance, particularly working memory, as well as psychological well-being, especially personal growth. Group comparisons indicated that highly active individuals reported greater personal growth compared to inactive individuals. Regarding cognition, physical activity was positively related to working memory performance, as measured by the Digit Span Task, while no significant associations emerged with broader global cognitive screening measures such as the Mini Mental State Examination or Clock Drawing Test. In addition, physical activity was positively associated with meta-emotional beliefs, defined as individuals' beliefs about the role of emotions in daily life, whereas no significant associations emerged with emotional abilities. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that physical activity is associated with specific cognitive processes and with broader psychological resources in later adulthood. These results highlight the relevance of targeted interventions aimed at promoting physical activity to support cognitive and emotional functioning, and psychological well-being in aging populations.

Indexed as

cognitive functionemotional intelligencemeta-emotional beliefsolder adultsphysical activitypsychological well-being

Identifiers

PMID41835028
PMCPMC12982361

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.