Associations of Cognitive Function and Physical Activity with Frailty: A Community-Based Study of Older Adults

AIM: This study examined the associations among cognitive function, physical activity, and sociodemographic factors on frailty levels among older adults in a primary care population.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 269 older adults who applied for primary health care services in a province of Türkiye. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using the Edmonton Frailty Scale, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, and Standardized Mini Mental Test. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with frailty.

RESULTS: The mean frailty score was 4.83 ± 2.93, with 46.8% of participants classified as vulnerable or frail. Age (β = .507), female gender (β = .603), lower education (β = .492), unemployment (β = .525), poor economic status (β = .672), chronic disease (β = .619), polypharmacy (β = .497), lower cognitive level (β = –.455), and lower physical activity (β = –.507) were significantly associated with frailty (p < .001 for all associated factors). The model explained 78.9% of variance in frailty levels (adjusted R2 = .789).

CONCLUSION: Frailty among older adults was significantly associated with modifiable factors, including physical inactivity and cognitive decline, as well as socioeconomic vulnerability. Integrating frailty screening into primary health care and implementing interventions targeting physical and cognitive health may help reduce frailty-related vulnerability in aging populations.

Cite this article as: Sel.uk-Tosun, A., Akgül-Gündoğdu, N., Dağcı-Günal, B., & Demirdağ, B. (2026). Associations of cognitive function and physical activity with frailty: a community-based study of older adults. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 34, 0410, doi: 10.5152/FNJN.2026.25410.