Exploring the role of leisure activities from midlife to late life in SuperAging among physically active women

SuperAging refers to older adults who maintain exceptional cognitive functioning despite advanced age. However, little is known about which lifestyle factors contribute to this phenomenon. This cross sectional study explored the relationship between lifelong leisure activities and SuperAging in physically active women. The sample consisted of 225 women, aged 80–96, who were physically active during midlife (ages 30–60), meeting WHO (2020) adult physical activity guidelines of ≥ 150 min of moderate or ≥ 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or an equivalent combination. SuperAgers were classified based on cognitive performance according to the criteria of the Northwestern University SuperAging Program. Engagement in past and current leisure activities was self-reported. A series of statistical analyses, including group comparisons, regression analyses, and Bayesian mixed models, were used to examine the association between these activities and SuperAging. Of the participants, 58 (25.9%) were classified as SuperAgers. Overall, SuperAgers and non-SuperAgers reported similar levels of engagement in most leisure activities. However, SuperAgers reported more flexibility and mind–body exercises, such as yoga, stretching or Tai Chi, during midlife than non-SuperAgers ( M = 0.74 vs 0.55; p = 0.069, d = 0.30). After adjustment for age and education, this association reached statistical significance ( b = − 0.21, 95% CI [− 0.40, − 0.02], p = 0.033). SuperAgers also participated in more types of current cognitive activities than non-SuperAgers ( M = 3.9 vs 3.5 activities; p = 0.015, d = 0.35). Effect sizes were low to moderate. Within the sample, physical activity declined with aging while mental activity increased regardless of SA status. These findings suggest that consistent long-term engagement in flexibility and mind–body exercises, as well as participation in a diverse range of cognitive activities, may be associated with SuperAging, although causality cannot be inferred.