Objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior and global cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review.

Anna G M Rojer, Keenan A Ramsey, Elvira S Amaral Gomes, Luke D'Andrea, Christopher Chen, Cassandra Szoeke, Carel G M Meskers, Esmee M Reijnierse, Andrea B Maier

Journal: Mechanisms of ageing and development 2022;198():111524

PMID: 34181963

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Both physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) are important factors for healthy ageing. This systematic review aimed to determine the association of objectively assessed (instrumented) PA and SB with global cognitive function in older adults.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library (via Wiley), CINAHL, PsychINFO, and SPORTDiscus (via EBSCO) were searched from inception to June 21, 2020 for articles that described associations of objectively assessed PA/SB with global cognitive function in older adults aged 60 years and older. Results were synthesized using an effect direction heat map and albatross plots portrayed estimated effect sizes (standardized regression coefficients (βs)), which were summarized in boxplots.

RESULTS

In total, 45 articles were included representing a total of 15,817 older adults (mean/median age ranged from 65 to 88 years; 49.5% female). Longitudinal studies (n = 7) showed that higher moderate-to-vigorous and light PA (MVPA and LPA, respectively) and lower SB were associated with better global cognitive function. Standardized βs of cross-sectional studies (n = 38) showed that lower SB (median [IQR], β = 0.078 [0.004-0.184] and higher LPA (β = 0.096 [0.046-0.188]), activity counts (β = 0.131 [0.049-0.224]), number of steps (β = 0.155 [0.096-0.246]), MVPA (β = 0.163 [0.069-0.285]) and total PA (TPA) (β = 0.174 [0.147-0.255]) were associated with better global cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PA and lower SB are associated with better global cognitive function in older adults. The greatest estimated effect sizes were found for moderate-to-vigorous and TPA, suggesting that greater duration of any PA, and high intensity PA could be most beneficial for global cognitive function.

Address: Department of Human Movement Sciences, @AgeAmsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, the Netherlands.; Department of Medicine and Aged Care, @AgeMelbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia.; Memory Aging and Cognition Center, Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.; Healthy Ageing Program, Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Centre for Medical Research, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia.; Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience and Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands.; Department of Medicine and Aged Care, @AgeMelbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia; Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, de Boelelaan 1118, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands.; Department of Human Movement Sciences, @AgeAmsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, the Netherlands; Department of Medicine and Aged Care, @AgeMelbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia; Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Centre for Healthy Longevity, @AgeSingapore, National University Health System, Singapore. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111524

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MeSH Terms: Aged, Cognition, Exercise, Healthy Aging, Humans, Intelligence Tests, Motor Activity, Protective Factors, Sedentary Behavior