Higher Intelligence Linked to Better Physical Health

Sharon Moore August 18, 2015

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Researchers at the Centre for Healthy Aging and the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen have studied the association between male intelligence in early adulthood and their subsequent physical performance, and found that the higher intelligence score, the better physical performance.

"Our study clearly shows that the higher intelligence score in early adulthood, the stronger the participants’ back, legs and hands are in midlife. Their balance is also better. Former studies have taught us that the better the results of these midlife tests, the greater the chance of avoiding a decrease in physical performance in old age", says PhD student Rikke Hodal Meincke from the Centre for Healthy Aging and the Department of Public Health.

Their findings revealed that with a 10-point increase in intelligence score, there’s a 0,5 kg increase in lower back force, 1 cm increase in jumping height - an expression of leg muscle power, 0.7 kg increase in hand-grip strength, 3.7% improved balance, and 1.1 more chair-rises in 30 seconds.

According to Rikke Hodal Meincke, are important for the future planning and targeting of initiatives that may help improve or maintain elderly peoples’ physical performance. Such can include making it easier for everybody, regardless of abilities, to remain physically active throughout their lives. She does, however, stress that more studies are needed, in order to examine mechanisms that reveal exactly where to set in.

"A feasible explanation for this connection between male intelligence in early adulthood and their midlife physical performance could be that people with a higher intelligence score find it easier to understand and interpret health information and thus have a healthier lifestyle, they may, for instance, exercise more regularly. Exercise can thus be viewed as a mechanism that explains the connection between intelligence and physical performance," she explained.

The results have been published in the scientific Journal of Aging and Health.

Source of article: Is Intelligence in Early Adulthood Associated With Midlife Physical Performance Among Danish Males?