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Comparative Study
. 2010 Dec;65(12):1369-74.
doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq152. Epub 2010 Aug 30.

The effect of midlife physical activity on cognitive function among older adults: AGES--Reykjavik Study

Milan Chang  1 , Palmi V Jonsson, Jon Snaedal, Sigurbjorn Bjornsson, Jane S Saczynski, Thor Aspelund, Gudny Eiriksdottir, Maria K Jonsdottir, Oscar L Lopez, Tamara B Harris, Vilmundur Gudnason, Lenore J Launer
Affiliations
Comparative Study

The effect of midlife physical activity on cognitive function among older adults: AGES--Reykjavik Study

Milan Chang et al. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2010 Dec.

Abstract

Background: There are few studies on the long-term associations of physical activity (PA) to cognition. Here, we examine the association of midlife PA to late-life cognitive function and dementia.

Methods: The sample consisted of a population-based cohort of men and women (born in 1907-1935) participating in the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study. The interval between the midlife ascertainment of PA and late-life cognitive function was 26 years. Composite scores of speed of processing, memory, and executive function were assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests, and dementia was diagnosed according to international guidelines. There were 4,761 nondemented participants and 184 (3.7%) with a diagnosis of dementia, with complete data for the analysis.

Results: Among the participants, no midlife PA was reported by 68.8%, ≤ 5 hours PA by 26.5%, and >5 hours PA by 4.5%. Excluding participants with dementia compared with the no PA group, both PA groups had significantly faster speed of processing (≤ 5 hours, β = .22; >5 hours, β = .32, p trend < .0001), better memory (≤ 5 hours, β = .15; >5 hours, β = .18, p trend < .0001), and executive function (≤ 5 hours, β = .09; >5 hours, β = .18, p trend< .0001), after controlling for demographic and cardiovascular factors. The ≤ 5 hours PA group was significantly less likely to have dementia in late life (odds ratio: 0.6, 95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.88) after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion: Midlife PA may contribute to maintenance of cognitive function and may reduce or delay the risk of late-life dementia.

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