DALLAS: Older people who are sexually active have a higher level of cognitive ability than those who aren’t, according to research.
The study’s sexually active older men were found to have performed better with significantly higher scores on cognitive tests for memory (word recall) and executive function (number sequencing) than men who were sexually inactive.
When women were tested, the sexually active women had much higher recall scores than the inactive women however there was no significant difference in scores for women in the number sequencing test.
The research paper stated: “The findings have implications for the promotion of sexual counselling in healthcare settings, where maintaining a healthy sex life in older age could be instrumental in improving cognitive function and well-being.”
In the recall task, the older people heard a list of 10 everyday words and were asked to recall them straight away (immediate recall) and after a short delay (delayed recall).
The number sequencing task required people to complete a number sequence, by first determining the number pattern and then deciding which number was missing, e.g. 1, 2, __, 4, where the correct answer would be 3.
In the Coventry University study by Dr Hayley Wright and Rebecca Jenks, sexual activity was described as sexual intercourse, masturbation, petting or fondling.