Association Between Lifetime Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning in Middle-aged and Older Community Dwelling Adults: Results from the Brain in Motion Study

Date
2015-09-30
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Objective: Is total lifetime physical activity (PA) associated with better cognitive functioning with aging and does cerebrovascular function mediates this association? Methods: 226 community dwelling middle-aged and older adults completed the Lifetime Total PA Questionnaire, underwent neuropsychological and cerebrovascular blood flow testing. Multiple robust linear regressions were used to model the associations between lifetime PA and global cognition. Mediation analysis was used to assess the effect of cerebrovascular measures on the association between lifetime PA and global cognition. Results: Better cognitive performance was associated with higher lifetime PA (p=0.045), recreational PA (p=0.018), vigorous intensity PA (p=0.004), PA between the ages of 0-20 years (p=0.028), and the ages of 21-35 years (p<0.0001). Cerebrovascular measures partially mediated the relation between current fitness and cognition. Conclusion: This study revealed significant associations between higher levels of lifetime PA and better cognitive function. Cerebrovascular function partially mediated the relation between current fitness and global cognition.
Description
Keywords
Physiology, Epidemiology, Psychology--Cognitive
Citation
Gill, S. (2015). Association Between Lifetime Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning in Middle-aged and Older Community Dwelling Adults: Results from the Brain in Motion Study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25034