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. 2019 Oct 15:5:618-626.
doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2019.08.007. eCollection 2019.

Accelerometer-determined physical activity and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults from two generations of the Framingham Heart Study

Nicole L Spartano  1   2 , Serkalem Demissie  3 , Jayandra J Himali  2   3   4 , Kimberly A Dukes  3   5 , Joanne M Murabito  2   6 , Ramachandran S Vasan  2   7 , Alexa S Beiser  2   3   4 , Sudha Seshadri  2   4   8
Affiliations

Accelerometer-determined physical activity and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults from two generations of the Framingham Heart Study

Nicole L Spartano et al. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). .

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) may play a role in maintenance of cognitive function in both middle and older ages and prevention of outcomes such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Cross-sectional regression analyses were performed in Framingham Heart Study Third Generation (n = 1861) and Offspring (n = 909) cohort participants assessing the association of accelerometry-measured PA with cognitive function, adjusting for age, sex, accelerometer wear time, education, occupational status/PA, and smoking status.

Results: In each cohort, achieving just 10-21.4 min/day moderate-to-vigorous PA related to better executive function (P < .02); and just 10 min/day moderate-to-vigorous PA was associated with better verbal memory in middle-aged adults in the Third Generation cohort (P = .02). In older adults of the Offspring cohort, total PA (measured in steps/day) was associated with better executive function (P < .02).

Discussion: PA at levels lower than the current PA Guidelines (just 10 min/day moderate-to-vigorous PA and total PA including lower intensity PA) were associated with better cognitive function.

Keywords: Accelerometer; Cognition; Epidemiology; Executive function; Exercise; Memory; Moderate-to-vigorous; Physical activity; Sedentary time.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Least squared means of executive function measures by physical activity categories. ∗ Indicates a significant difference from the reference categories (<10 min/day MVPA or <5000 steps/day) within each cohort (Third Generation or Offspring). Executive function (Trails B − A) is standardized to the mean and standard deviation of the total study population. Adjustment model includes age, sex, accelerometer wear time, education, occupational status/PA, smoking status, and time between PA and cognitive assessments. MVPA models were additionally adjusted for SED. Abbreviations: MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; SED, sedentary time.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Least squared means of verbal memory measures by physical activity categories. ∗ Indicates a significant difference from the reference categories (<10 min/day MVPA or <5000 steps/day). Verbal memory (Learning Memory–delayed task) is standardized to the mean and standard deviation of the total study population. Adjustment model includes age, sex, accelerometer wear time, education, occupational status/PA, smoking status, and time between PA and cognitive assessments. MVPA models were additionally adjusted for SED. Abbreviations: MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; SED, sedentary time.
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