Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide
Published on: November 29, 2024
Intensity, but not duration, of physical activities is related to cognitive function
Maaike Angevaren1, Luc Vanhees, Wanda Wendel-Vos
1Research Department Health and Lifestyle, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Maaike.angevaren@hu.nl
Background:
Physical activity is thought to facilitate cognitive performance and to slow down the rate of age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the association between the time spent on physical activity as well as the average intensity of these activities and cognitive function.
Design:
Cross-sectional analysis.
Methods:
Our study population comprised of 1927 healthy men and women aged 45-70 years in the Netherlands, examined from 1995 until 2000. Physical activity was assessed with an extensive questionnaire, and cognitive function by a neuropsychological test battery.
Results:
Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that intensity of weekly physical activities is significantly positively associated with processing speed, memory, mental flexibility and overall cognitive function. No significant associations were observed between the time spent weekly on physical activities and the various cognitive domains. At the same time, variation in activities was significantly positively associated with speed, memory, mental flexibility and overall cognitive function.
Conclusions:
Average intensity of weekly physical activities and variation in activities are positively and significantly associated with cognitive performance on processing speed, memory and mental flexibility as well as performance on overall cognitive function.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Information Processing Approach
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Biological Influences on Intelligence
Environmental Influences on Intelligence
