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Since 1996, there has been increasing interest in how to define, and how to accomplish, what we call "successful" aging. The components of successful aging, or the factors that most strongly impact our quality of life as we age, are:

--high level of engagement with life
--low risk of disease
--high physical and cognitive function levels

The MacArthur Study of Successful Aging investigated factors that influence physical and cognitive functioning among relatively highly functional volunteers between the ages of 70 and 79. A pool of 4,030 potential subjects, from three community-based groups, was screened based on specific physical and cognitive criteria. The top third of that group who agreed to participate, numbering 1189, were enrolled in the study.

The selected subjects underwent a 90-minute personal interview that included a detailed assessment of physical and cognitive capabilities, overall health status, and social, lifestyle, and psychological characteristics, The subjects were then followed for an average of seven years, from 1988/89 through 1995/96, through periodic interviews, to monitor their status as they aged.

It is interesting to note the factors that seem to contribute to healthy aging. With regard to physical functionality, participants with best "peak flow," or optimal levels of lung function, were less likely to show physical decline in older age. Also, those who followed a schedule of regular physical activity, either moderate or strenuous, were only half as likely to show physical decline as those who were inactive. These findings may be linked, since physical activity influences lung function and capacity. Interesting, though, is the fact that the benefits of moderate (i.e. walking) and strenuous (i.e. jogging) activities were equal.

Those who participate in social activities or groups seem to experience the same protective benefits as those who exercise, according to the study. Those who participated in work or volunteer activities were less likely to show physical decline as they aged, and so were those who socialized regularly with friends.

Also good news is the fact that even participants who had chronic conditions when they began the study experienced the protective effects of exercise and socialization. So it truly never is too late to adapt healthy life habits.

With regard to cognitive functioning, the results were very similar and just as positive in terms of proving that we do have at least some level of control over our quality of life as we age. Again, any physical activity, whether strenuous or moderate, provided protection against cognitive decline. Those who had three regularly scheduled activities on their calendar were further protected from the potential loss of mental acuity than those with no regular activities.

So the key components of successful aging as demonstrated by our study were exercise, social engagement, and a positive mental attitude. These factors predict better cognitive and physical functioning in both older and younger people. Getting together with friends while engaging in physical activity seems to provide "double bonus points" of protection against physical and cognitive decline.

For those interested in more detailed information, I recommend a book, written by colleague and fellow MacArthur researcher Dr. John Rowe for the lay community, called Successful Aging.