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. 2021;79(1):377-388.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-200959.

Physical Activity and Trajectory of Cognitive Change in Older Persons: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging

Janina Krell-Roesch  1   2 , Jeremy A Syrjanen  1 , Jelena Bezold  2 , Sandra Trautwein  2 , Bettina Barisch-Fritz  2 , Klaus Boes  2 , Alexander Woll  2 , Erica Forzani  3 , Walter K Kremers  1 , Mary M Machulda  4 , Michelle M Mielke  1   5 , David S Knopman  5 , Ronald C Petersen  1   5 , Maria Vassilaki  1 , Yonas E Geda  3   6
Affiliations

Physical Activity and Trajectory of Cognitive Change in Older Persons: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging

Janina Krell-Roesch et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the association between physical activity (PA) and cognitive trajectories in older adults.

Objective: To examine the association between PA and change in memory, language, attention, visuospatial skills, and global cognition, and a potential impact of sex or Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 status.

Methods: Longitudinal study derived from the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, including 2,060 cognitively unimpaired males and females aged ≥70 years. Engagement in midlife (ages 50-65) and late-life (last year) PA was assessed using a questionnaire. Neuropsychological testing was done every 15 months (mean follow-up 5.8 years). We ran linear mixed-effect models to examine whether mid- or late-life PA at three intensities (mild, moderate, vigorous) was associated with cognitive z-scores.

Results: Light intensity midlife PA was associated with less decline in memory function compared to the no-PA reference group (time x light PA; estimate [standard error] 0.047 [0.016], p = 0.004). Vigorous late-life PA was associated with less decline in language (0.033 [0.015], p = 0.030), attention (0.032 [0.017], p = 0.050), and global cognition (0.039 [0.016], p = 0.012). Females who were physically inactive in midlife experienced more pronounced cognitive decline than females physically active in midlife and males regardless of PA (p-values for time interaction terms with midlife PA levels and sex were all p < 0.05 for global cognition). APOE ɛ4 carriership did not moderate the association between PA and cognition.

Conclusion: Engaging in PA, particularly of vigorous intensity in late-life, was associated with less pronounced decline in global and domain-specific cognition. This association may differ by sex.

Keywords: Cognitive trajectories; community-dwelling persons; late-life; midlife; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ disclosures available online (https://www.j-alz.com/manuscript-disclosures/20-0959r2).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Visual display of two-way interactions between time and physical activity in midlife. Models are taking into account late-life physical activity and are adjusted for baseline age, education, medical comorbidities, APOE ɛ4 genotype status, and whether or not the administration of the cognitive tests was the first time ever.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Visual display of two-way interactions between time and physical activity in late-life. Models are taking into account midlife physical activity and are adjusted for baseline age, education, medical comorbidities, APOE ɛ4 genotype status, and whether or not the administration of the cognitive tests was the first time ever.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Visual display of three-way interactions between time, physical activity in midlife and sex. Models are taking into account late-life physical activity and are adjusted for baseline age, education, medical comorbidities, APOE ɛ4 genotype status, and whether or not the administration of the cognitive tests was the first time ever.
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