HOW YOUNG AND FULL ADULT LIFESPAN COHORTS CONTRIBUTE TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF LATE-LIFE FUNCTION

Physical function in the context of older populations has been well studied. Much of what is known about late-life function has been derived from studies that are often comprised exclusively of older adults. There is a paucity of studies that have common measures directly assessing physical performance across a full life span. Such studies present a unique opportunity to examine trajectories of successful or premature aging and identify characteristics associated with each. Furthermore, recent research has elucidated the influence of early childhood characteristics associated with accelerated aging.