Extended Abstract
1. Objectives
Aging is a critical stage of human life and is associated with decreased cognitive processes. It has also been reported that physical activity of individuals reduces with increasing age [1-3]. It should be noted that exercise and physical activity may postpone the progression of cognitive impairment in the elderly [4, 5] and improve perfectionism [4, 6]. However, as mentioned earlier, there is evidence that cognitive factors, such as perfectionism and cognitive flexibility, decrease with age in the elderly [7, 8]. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of different levels of physical activity in improving cognitive flexibility and perfectionism in the elderly. 
2. Methods & Materials
This study employed the comparative-causal design for the research. The statistical population consisted of older adults present at the neighborhood center, elderly community, parks, gardens and recreational areas in districts 1 and 3 of Tehran. A total of 126 older adults were selected for the study using purposive sampling method. They were subjected to the following inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were as follows: no history of asthma, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; lack of any organ defects; not using motion specialties such as cane and wheelchairs; no history of heart attacks; no serious damage to the skull; no history of anesthesia; no walking aids; and having a basic level of physical activity. The exclusion criterion was the lack of willingness to cooperate in the study. 
The following questionnaires were used to measure the research variables: demographic questionnaire, elderly cognitive status questionnaire, Champs Stewart’s Physical Activity Scale (2001), Hill’s Perfectionism Questionnaire (2004), and Dennis and Vander Wal’s Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (2010). Based on the results of the Champs Stewart’s Physical Activity Scale, 43 people had a high level of physical activity, 40 people had a moderate level, and 43 people had a low level of physical activity. The Metabolic Equivalent Test was used to divide the participants into three groups: a group with low activity (less than 600 Met or less than 7500 Met-min/week), moderate activity (between 600-3000 or between 7500-9999 Met-min/week) or high activity (more than 3000 Met or more than 1000 Met-min/week).
In this study, Mini-Mental Status Examination was used to assess the cognitive ability of the elderly. Thus, individuals with a score of over 25 were considered without the disorder, those with a score of 20-25 had a possibility of cognitive degradation, and those with a score of less than 20 had cognitive impairment. The present research was based on the ethical considerations of the Shahid Beheshti University.
3. Results
We found a significant difference between flexibility and perfectionism in the three groups of elderly with low, moderate and high physical activity levels. The elderly with high physical activity level have better cognitive flexibility and perfectionism (P<0.05). The elderly with high (P=0.001) and moderate (P=0.021) physical activity levels had higher mean scores in the perception of control, perception of several solutions, perception of justifications, cognitive flexibility, and perfectionism compared to those with the low level of physical activity. 
One-way analysis of variance revealed that there is a significant difference among the three groups in terms of perception of control (P=0.001, f=57.53), perception of several solutions (P=0.001, f=59.68), perception of justifications (P=0.001, f=59.01), cognitive flexibility (P=0.001, f=42.91), and perfectionism (P=0.001, f=87.77) (P<0.05). Bonferroni post hoc test was used to examine the location of pair-wise differences. The results showed significant differences between the variables of perception of control, perception of several solutions, perception of justifications, cognitive flexibility and perfectionism in the three groups of the elderly (P<0.05). 
The results of Pearson correlation coefficient showed that perfectionism is positively correlated with the variables of perception of control, perception of several solutions, perceptions of justifications, and cognitive flexibility (P<0.05). Therefore, given the R value in regression, it can be said that there is a relatively strong linear relationship between predictor variables and criterion variables. The value of R2=0.33 means that the predictor variables determine 33% of the changes in the criterion variable (perfectionism). In fact, perfectionism is positively correlated with variables of perception of control, perception of several solutions, perceptions of justifications, and cognitive flexibility (P<0.05). The variables of perception of control and perception of justifications predict perfectionism in older adults (P<0.05).
4. Conclusion
Our results indicate that the more active is an individual is, the higher is the level of cognitive affinity. The study found that older adults with continuous physical activity can reach a higher level of perfectionism and cognitive flexibility. Thus, recognizing these capabilities during the aging period can help them to develop and increase their efficiency. Planning an active life for the elderly seems to be a necessary step before it becomes a critical challenge. The purpose of this planning might be expressed in such a way that the elderly can enjoy their life along with the rest of the people.
Acknowledgments
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

 

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